By JIM BUTLER

The percentage of Rapides students achieving mastery or above on this year’s LEAP tests rose three points from last, reaching the state average of 35.

The parish results put it at number two among the 14 top-improving systems. 

Mastery is defined as proficient and ready for the next level without remediation.

Hold the champagne — nine of 20 parish elementary schools testing had fewer than 25% reach that bar; middle schools had three of nine, high schools one of 11.

That’s not to disparage progress. On the positive end, five elementary schools reached 50% or more, as did two middle schools and one high school.

Grades 3-8 are tested in English Language Arts, math and science. Upper grades are measured in English 1 & 2, Algebra, Geometry, U.S. History and Biology.

Often cited as key to educational success is a three-cornered base – facilities (and materials), faculty(and staff, management), family (socio-economic). The school system controls two of the three.

The LEAP exam changes next year, the result of state Department of Education revisions. Time will tell that impact.

This year’s results show there are long rows still to be hoed. By division, school, percentage of those tested reaching mastery:

 

Elementary

Acadian 21

Ball 47

Barron 44

Brasher 17

Cherokee 32

Goff 52

Horseshoe Dr. 10

Huddle 18

Martin Park 18

Moore 30

Nachman 46

Paradise 53

Redwine 21

Rosenthal 55

Pineville 23

Ruby-Wise 62

Rugg 13

Tioga 41

Lawrence Upper 49

Phoenix Magnet 76

Middle/Jr. High

Alexandria Middle Magnet 14

Brame 31

Smith Middle Magnet 19

Dorman 65

Forest Hill 40

Pineville 40

Poland 57

Raymond 21

Tioga 48

High School

Alexandria Senior 42

Bolton Academy 75 (79 for 3-8 component)

Buckeye 50 (53)

Glenmora 32

Northwood 34 (35)

Oak Hill 38 (39)

Menard 35

Northwood 34 (35)

Peabody Magnet 15

Pineville 43

Plainview 42 (41)

Rapides 29

Tioga 41

Rapides Positive Program for Students 17

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