Education Dept.: More Students Reach English, Math ‘Mastery’

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana's Department of Education says the percentage of students achieving "mastery" scores on 2016 standardized assessment tests improved from 33 percent to 38 percent. The overall percentage reaching at least a "basic" score increased as well.

But education officials say achievement gaps remain unacceptably wide — with lower percentages of black students, students with disabilities and students from low-income households making high scores.

Results on this year's "LEAP" tests were released Thursday. State Education Superintendent John White says the tests results are encouraging, given that performance has improved even as the tests and standards have become more challenging. Still, he said the achievement gaps must be closed. And more work must be done to prepare students for post-secondary coursework.

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Online:

Department of Education website:

http://www.louisianabelieves.com/

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