NEW ORLEANS, La. - For the third consecutive year, Recovery School District students showed significant improvement in state standardized test scores, according to preliminary data released today. Overall, performance levels in the RSD’s direct-run and charter schools climbed by 6 percentage points, compared to a 1 percentage point growth overall for the state. The RSD led the state in growth from 2009-2010 as well as for the last three years.
Students in the 4th grade who took the LEAP exam for the first time passed at a rate of 58 percent this year, up from 54 percent in 2009. Since 2007, the passing rate for first time 4th grade test-takers in the RSD grew from 36 percent to 58 percent.
Among 8th grade students taking the LEAP exam for the first time, the percentage of students passing grew 9 percentage points from 41 percent in 2009 to 50 percent in 2010. Since 2007, the percentage grew from 32 percent to 50 percent.
“The mission of the RSD is to take responsibility for some of the most challenged schools in the state and provide children within those schools with superior educational opportunities. The early results are compelling because for the third straight year we’ve improved at every grade level at a rate that is exceeding the state’s growth,” said RSD Superintendent Paul Vallas.
Especially significant were the cumulative gains in the percent of students performing Basic or above across all testing grades and subjects. The RSD’s 20 point gain since 2007 leads the state.
Students who did not pass will have a chance to attend summer remediation and retake the test in late June.