St. Mary LEAP scores show slight improvement

LEAP scores for St. Mary Parish public school students were up slightly last year, while test results for English-language-learners and students with cognitive disabilities were higher than the state average, the district administration reported.
According to the district:
—29% of all St. Mary students attained the Mastery+ level, up one percentage point from the previous year.
—Third- through eighth-graders remained the same at 29%.
—Four of six tested grades among third- through sixth-graders increased the number of students attaining Basic or Above in English language arts. Three of six grades increased in science and social studies, and one of six increased in mathematics.
—The percentage of high school students scoring Basic or Above was up in algebra I, English I and biology; stayed the same in geometry and English II; and declined in American history.
—77% of students for whom English is not the primary language scored Progressing or Proficient compared to 72% for the state on the English Language Proficiency Test.
—On LEAP Connect, the assessment administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, 63% of St. Mary students scored At or Above Goal in English, compared to 49% of students statewide, and 62% in math, compared to 57% for the state.
“While we are pleased with the areas of progress we have made, we recognize that there is still work to be done,” Superintendent Buffy Fegenbush said. “We will remain dedicated to providing the best possible education for our students.”
She further believes that “the scores have provided us with valuable insights into areas where we need to focus our efforts. We are committed to using this information to develop targeted interventions and support systems that will lead to increased student success.
"We can’t acknowledge enough the hard work that our school families have done and will continue to do to support education in St. Mary Parish.”