Testing and Accountability
Testing
Iberia Parish participates in the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP). Included in this annual statewide testing program are grade-level criterion-referenced tests in English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies at grades 4 and 8. The tests are designed to assess the students' mastery of grade-level standards as outlined in state curriculum guides. Students must score at the Basic level or higher in either English Language Arts or Math and at the Approaching Basic level or higher in the other in order to be promoted to the next grade. High school students participate in the Graduation Exit Exam (GEE) testing program. Beginning in the tenth grade, students take English Language and Mathematics. Students in grade eleven take the science and social studies exams. Students are required to pass both the English Language Arts and Math tests and either the Science or Social Studies exams before being awarded a Louisiana high school diploma. A score of Approaching Basic is considered passing on the GEE. Retake opportunities are provided to students.
Beginning in the spring of 2006, students in grades 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 were administered the new Integrated LEAP, or iLEAP. Criterion-referenced data is generated which measures how well students mastered the state's grade level expectations. These results are used at the classroom level to identify students' strengths and weaknesses and to plan for school improvement efforts.
In addition to the state testing, high school students may elect to take the ACT (American College Test), SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and participate in the testing provided by the College Board (Advanced Placement Tests). Many graduates received advanced standing at the college level based on their scores on these national tests.
Accountability
Louisiana's School and District Accountability Plan, Reaching for Results, is a set of reforms designed to improve student achievement. Just as the schools receive a report card rating their efforts to improve student achievement, districts also receive a yearly report card. Several scores are reported - one called the District Performance Score, which is in essence a roll-up of the schools' performance scores. A second is a measure of the district's responsibility in providing students with certified teachers. Another component of the district report card is called the Subgroup Performance Report, which gives a score for the district by major subgroup populations.
