Tri-Parish students lag behind state average on ACT scores

Staff Report
Tri-Parish students scored below the 19.5 state average composite ACT scores in 2015-16, according to a Louisiana Department of Education report.
The average ACT score in St. Landry Parish in 2015-16 was 18.6. The number of students scoring 18 or higher rose by 94 from 2011-12 to 2015-16.
In Acadia Parish, the average ACT score for 2015-16 was 18.9. The number of students scoring 18 or higher rose by 128 from 2011-12 to 2015-16.
In Evangeline Parish, the average ACT score for 2015-16 was 19. The number of students scoring 18 or higher rose by 55 from 2011-12 to 2015-16.
The education department announced an increase in the number of high school students earning scores of 18 or higher on the ACT, allowing thousands more students since 2012 the opportunity to attend two- and four-year colleges without the requirement of remediation and making more students than ever before eligible for TOPS funding.
In 2016, the state’s average composite score for public school students increased 0.1 points, from 19.4 in 2015 to 19.5 in 2016. The state’s average composite score has increased 0.4 points since 2013, the first year access to the ACT was expanded to all high school students. Like colleges and universities, the Department of Education uses the highest composite score a student achieved on the ACT, when calculating the state, district, and school average composite scores.
Later in the summer, the ACT will release average composite scores for all students in all states.
State Superintendent John White said, “The results demonstrate once again that our state’s plan to raise expectations is working. The results also shows, however, that we cannot stop here. While more students than ever before are qualifying for universities and community colleges, too many are entering college only to withdraw later. We must continue to raise expectations, equipping every student with skills they need to succeed in education after high school.”
Economically disadvantaged students increased 0.2 points from 17.9 in 2015 to 18.1 in 2016, doubling the state growth of 0.1, and have increased 0.5 points since 2013. African-American students have likewise narrowed pernicious achievement gaps since 2012, closing the gap with their peers by 0.3 points.
In 2012, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted policy to give all high school students access to the ACT free of charge, as part of a comprehensive package to increase access to college and a career for high school students. Louisiana became the 10th state to expand ACT access to all students in 2013.
Since that year, the state has seen a dramatic increase in the number of seniors earning qualifying scores for TOPS Tech (17+), TOPS Opportunity (20+), and TOPS Honors (27+), boosting both students on the TOPS University pathway and the Jump Start TOPS Tech pathway. The number of seniors earning a TOPS-qualifying score (based on their best score) of at least 17, has increased by 3,278 since 2013 and by 7,885 since 2012.
The state re-made the high school accountability system to incentivize not just high school completion but also post-secondary achievements like career credentials and Advanced Placement credits.
Students now achieve TOPS and TOPS Tech by choosing either the Jump Start Career Diploma or the TOPS University Diploma. Every student graduates having taken a TOPS curriculum.
To support these diplomas, Louisiana has created dedicated funding streams in the MFP for career courses, dual enrollment courses, and other course choices.
Through Believe and Prepare, the state’s most successful teachers serve as mentors and train aspiring teachers, preparing them to enter the classroom ready to teach from day one.
Louisiana has also expanded on these initiatives to increase opportunity for historically underserved students.
Schools have created transitional 9th grade programs to serve students who otherwise would have been held back in 8th grade.
Act 833 allows diploma pathways for students struggling because of disabilities.
Students with significant disabilities (LAA 1) now can achieve a high school diploma.
Since 2012, the BESE-approved policy changes have resulted in additional, increased opportunities for high school students.
Louisiana’s 2015 high school graduation rate increased to an all-time high of 77.5 percent, up 2.9 percentage points since 2014 and 5.2 percentage points since 2012.
Through Dual Enrollment in 2015, 6,260 seniors graduated with college credit, representing 15,427 credits earned. Based on the College Board report, Trends in College Pricing, at an average rate of $243.80 per credit hour, the total potential cost savings for the 2015 graduates and families was $12,188,902.