The Webster Parish School Board recently received the test scores for the 2021-2022 school year. While more detailed information is still to come, some general results were released during this month’s school board meeting.
In grades 3-8, students were scored in four areas: English language arts (ELA), math, social studies, and science. Students of two schools in the parish (school names have not yet been released) showed growth in every subject.
In 3rd grade, all schools showed improvement. For 4th grade, three out of five schools showed improvement. In 5th grade, all schools showed improvement. Among 4th and 5th grade students, 83% showed improvement. The area of greatest improvement was in math.
For 6th grade, two out of four schools showed improvement. Only one 7th grade school showed improvement, but all of the 8th grade schools showed improvement in overall assessment indexes. ELA in Jr. High showed the highest achievement levels, and ELA was the area with the most growth as well. “Across all junior high grade bands — grades 6, 7, and 8 — 83% of our students grew,” said Superintendent Rowland. He then noted that 6th grade needed the most improvement overall.
High school students take six LEAP 2025 exams: English I, English II, Algebra I, geometry, biology, and American History. In four of those six areas, students showed growth over the previous year. Those areas were English I, English II, Algebra I, and American History.
“It’s safe to say that the parish as a whole showed very significant growth in some areas,” said Rowland. Superintendent Rowland also spoke about why goals were harder to achieve last year than the year prior. “We had more kids and teachers out on quarantine than at any other time and for longer periods of time than we did the previous year.” Mr. Rowland concluded by saying how proud he is of everyone involved — especially the students.