Louisiana Department of Education Releases School and District Performance Scores

The Louisiana Department of Education released performance scores for schools and districts across the state today. School performance scores are calculated using a number of different factors.  This year, for elementary and middle schools, a large portion of a school’s performance score was determined by student performance on the PARCC test, a new and more rigorous test than has been administered in past years.  For high schools, the performance score is determined by four factors: the graduation rate, the graduation index (which rewards schools for students earning passing scores on AP and CLEP exams and dual enrollment credit), performance on end-of-course exams, and performance on the ACT exam.

Overall, the district maintained its “B” rating, its score down by just .8%.  Similarly, the state rated itself a “B” this year, dropping .4% over last year. The district gained two “A” schools, for a total of 10, and it lost three “F” schools, leaving N.P. Moss Preparatory as the only “F” school in the parish. Eleven schools improved a letter grade:

• Paul Breaux Middle, Lafayette High, Edgar Martin Middle, and Youngsville Middle moved from a “B” to an “A” rating
• Ridge Elementary moved from a “C” to a “B”
• S.J. Montgomery Elementary, Ossun Elementary, Westside Elementary, and Evangeline
• Elementary moved from a “D” to a “C”
• J.W. Faulk Elementary and Northside High School moved from an “F” to a “D” rating Five schools declined a letter

grade:

• Milton Elementary/Middle and Ernest Gallet Elementary moved from an “A” to a “B” rating
• Comeaux High, Charles M. Burke Elementary, and J.W. James Elementary moved from a “B” to a “C”

Westside Elementary, the Early College Academy, and J.W Faulk Elementary have all been named Top Gains Schools by the Louisiana Department of Education for large increases in their school performance scores. Paul Breaux Middle, S.J. Montgomery, Prairie Elementary, Ridge Elementary, Evangeline Elementary, and David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy are to be commended as well for significantly improving their school performance scores. These schools all improved by at least 5 points.

It is important to note that for elementary and middle schools, performance scores were calculated using a new assessment, so comparisons to previous years’ scores are of limited value. Rather, this year’s performance scores for those schools will set a baseline for student performance moving forward.

The Louisiana Department of Education has also released parent guides to School Report Cards:

Elementary School Report Cards

Middle School Report Cards

Combination School Report Cards

High School Report Cards