Caddo, Bossier Release Annual Report Card Results

Today, the Louisiana Education Department released its annual report card for schools and districts across the state, and it's looking like good news for Caddo and Bossier Parishes.

Caddo Parish's results reportedly remained steady. Schools Superintendent Lamar Goree says Caddo was the only district in the area to see growth in performance scores, moving up slightly from a 79.4 to a 79.5. In addition, over 76% of Caddo's schools maintained or increased their letter grade standing.

"I'm for the progress our students are making with higher standards. This year's results show our students can compete amid increased rigor," said Dr. Goree. "Our district also was able to see our overall performance score move up, unlike what was seen in many cases, including at a state level."

The data were compiled from spring PARCC tests, which were met with much scrutiny. Some parents decided to opt their children out of the testing. This was the first year 3rd-through-8th-graders took this particular assessment that was designed to raise the bar for proficiency in English Language Arts and math.

"he PARCC scores and current letter grades are tools we will use to guide future decisions but we also know that months have passed for our students and in that time we have seen progress," said Chief Academic Officer Keith Burton. "This is why it is essential for us to rely on real-time data in the form of those interim assessments and daily instruction to understand where a student stands academically today. We know this isn’t where we want to be, but also know these results are not currently where we find ourselves today."

The scores show Bossier Parish Schools made numerous gains in 2014-15 and ranks among the top 15 districts across the state.

According to a district news release, two schools received the distinction of being Top Gains Schools, four schools moved up a letter grade, 12 others showed improvement and 19 maintained their letter grade from the previous year. The district also kept its 'B' letter grade and ranked as the 14th top-performing school system in the state.

"We anticipated there would be a decline in some school scores due to the transition into the new PARCC assessment and the impact raising the accountability standards would have on establishing a new baseline for schools," said Bossier Schools Superintendent D.C. Machen. "With that said, we are very pleased with the growth made throughout the district and applaud our students' and educators' continued efforts to excel and improve."

Some of the highlights in Bossier: Benton High and Meadowview Elementary were named Top Gains Schools. They, along with Bossier High and Central Park Elementary, went up a letter grade. Showing improvement were Airline High, Bellaire Elementary, Benton High, Benton Middle, Bossier High, Central Park Elementary, Cope Middle, Elm Grove Middle, Haughton Middle, Haughton High, Meadowview Elementary and Parkway High.