LEAP test scores showed a positive sign of academic recovery in the 2021-22 school year, according to School Superintendent Kent Reed.

Allen Parish showed a 3 percent increase in the number of students performing at mastery and above, according to information released by the state. The district was also recognized as a top district for one-year growth in LEAP scores.

“We are pleased with the academic growth in our district despite all of the challenges that were presented the past several years,” Reed said.

All schools in the parish are making progress, according to the data.

The tests measure the knowledge and skills defined by the state’s content standards for each grade.

Allen Parish students showed growth in English language arts (ELA), math and science as a district while social studies scores remained the same, according to District Assessment and Accountability Supervisor Lori Lemons.

The overall school performance scores and district rankings will not be released until this fall.

“We are pleased with the hard work by our school teachers and administrators to grow our students during these difficult times,” Reed said. “We do understand that we still have work to do in regards to closing learning gaps for all K-12 students.

“Our parish literacy initiative is now fully implemented to assure all third grade students are reading on grade level,” he continued. “We also understand the importance of all students scoring mastery and advanced on future LEAP assessments. These goals are a work in progress.”

Lemons said the district will bring in its school data teams to analyze test scores which will be used to make long range action plans to support teachers and students moving forward.

“We are working on aligned assessments within our curriculum so students and teachers can track their progress toward mastery of standards,” Lemons said.

The district is also starting its third year of working with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) to provide aligned systems that improve the quality of teaching in the district to meet students needs, Lemons said.

Reed said the district will be focusing on student attendance this year.

“We want parents to understand the importance of students being face-to-face with their teachers to give them the best opportunities to be successful this 2022-23 school year,” he said.

The district is also reviewing new social studies standards for the 2023-24 school year and working with teachers for a smooth transition, Lemons said.