In a laudable achievement, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) has unveiled the much-anticipated LEAP results for the 2022-23 school year via this news release. Marking a momentous occasion, Louisiana’s students have, for the second consecutive year, demonstrated remarkable progress on the state assessments gauging proficiency in English/Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies across grades 3 to 12. With the release of these results, the educational landscape in Louisiana shines brighter than ever before.

For those eagerly awaiting the unveiling of these scores, the anticipation has paid off. The latest figures indicate a noteworthy two-point surge in the percentage of students deemed proficient, showcasing an inspiring leap in educational excellence. Further illuminating this accomplishment, a staggering 75% of school systems across Louisiana have made significant improvements from the previous academic year to the current one.

The driving force behind this success, the diligent efforts of educators and students alike, deserve an unequivocal applause. Dr. Cade Brumley, the State Superintendent, heralds this achievement as a testament to the ceaseless dedication demonstrated within Louisiana’s classrooms. He remarks, “I’m pleased to witness the academic ascent in Louisiana for the second consecutive year—a true testament to the tireless work transpiring within Louisiana’s classrooms every single day. While this progress is indeed encouraging, it’s imperative that we remain steadfast in our commitment to implement necessary practices and policy shifts, as a significant number of students still fall below the proficiency threshold.”

Delving into the metrics that define this educational advancement, the mastery rate, an essential yardstick of progress, has observed a two-point elevation, ascending from 31 in the 2021-22 academic year to 33 in the current 2022-23 period. This metric, which gauges the percentage of students in grades 3 to 12 who have achieved Mastery or beyond on LEAP and consequently are deemed proficient, stands as a beacon of educational achievement.

The LEAP assessment outcomes for the 2022-23 academic year paint a fascinating picture of educational growth: Third-grade students in English/Language Arts (ELA) have witnessed a watershed moment, marking their first improvement in five years. Their mastery rate experienced a five-point escalation, soaring from 38 in 2021-22 to an impressive 43 in 2022-23. This monumental achievement harks back to a period before the pandemic, specifically the academic year 2017-18.

Notably, last year’s third-grade cohort has exhibited remarkable progress as fourth graders. The mastery rate for these students in ELA stands at an admirable 44, a significant six points higher than their previous year’s score of 38 as third graders. This unprecedented leap indicates the substantial strides these students have undertaken within a single year of instruction.

High school students, the bastions of future innovation, have showcased their dedication to learning by demonstrating improvements in five out of six subject areas. Their scores have surged by five points in algebra (from 34 to 39), three points in biology (from 25 to 28), two points in English I (from 41 to 43), one point in English II (from 46 to 47), and an impressive three points in Geometry (from 28 to 31). This year also heralds the implementation of a more rigorous set of social studies standards, known as the Freedom Framework, which will be rolled out in the academic year 2023-24.

A closer examination of student subgroups highlights a pervasive improvement in mastery rates across the board. African American students have exhibited a four-point surge (from 15 to 19), economically disadvantaged students have achieved a three-point boost (from 21 to 24), Hispanic/Latino students have garnered a one-point increase (from 25 to 26), and students with disabilities have shown a two-point growth (from 9 to 11) when compared to the 2020-21 academic year.

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