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LPSS Announces Release of Simulated 2020-2021 School and District Performance Scores

The Lafayette Parish School System has received recently released data from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) regarding simulated School Performance Scores (SPS) and simulated District Performance Scores (DPS). We are pleased to announce that in the midst of a global pandemic, our district experienced significant overall academic growth of 2.7 points, moving from 78.9 to 81.6 points. This 2.7 overall increase in district performance is the fifth-highest growth amongst districts statewide for the 2020-2021 SY, with only 17 of the 64 parishes across the state experiencing increases in student performance.  

Although faced with many challenges, and during a year unlike any other, LPSS continued to make student achievement our top priority. The data show that 21 of our 44 schools experienced growth when compared to the last publicly available SPS (2018-2019 SY). It is also important to note that among our schools labeled CIR (Comprehensive Intervention Required), 86% made significant academic gains.

While assessment indices saw a slight decrease, progress indices in both K-8 and 9-12 grade levels scored in the highest range possible. The K-8 progress index improved from 93.1 to 94.5, and the 9-12 progress index increased from 87.3 to 91. Progress indices represent the rate at which students meet or exceed their individual performance targets during an academic year. Progress indices for all LPSS schools are in the top two highest ranges, traditionally A and B ranges.

All LPSS high schools experienced an increase in scores with an average growth of 6.9 points. Four of our high schools scored in the highest range possible (90-150), with no high schools performing in a range that traditionally defines D and F schools. CIR high schools, Northside High and Carencro High, simulated school performance scores fall into a scoring range historically defining “C” schools. Additional areas of growth for LPSS high schools include the strength of diploma and cohort graduation rate.

Both alternative school sites, Lerosen Preparatory School and E.J. Sam Accelerated School of Lafayette, showed significant improvement. Lerosen Preparatory grew 9.6 points and E.J. Sam experienced a 31.6 points gain. This growth indicates the significant progress being made by students in our non-traditional settings.

Over the course of the last two years, LPSS has been focused on students with disabilities by including students to the maximum extent appropriate within the general education setting. Due to these inclusive practices, the teamwork of our general and special education teachers, along with the cooperation of our students and the support from parents, the progress of students with disabilities has increased significantly. LPSS has moved from the bottom 25 percentile to the top 25 percentile and is now ranked a leader in regional performance. In addition, LPSS has now exceeded the state in the performance of this sub-group.

LPSS has remained mindful of the importance of minimizing academic decline for students and recognizes that without strategic planning and effective, proven strategies students could experience tremendous negative impact for the remainder of their educational career due to the impact of the pandemic and weather-related disasters. Some of the major challenges faced last year include COVID -19 mitigation measures, adjusted school schedules, transportation, quarantines, contact tracing, high rates of truancy, hybrid and distance learning, technology availability, and lack of internet connectivity for many. Regardless of challenges, we were successful in keeping schools open and are grateful for the efforts of staff, board members, students, parents, and other partners who were proactive in ensuring that students had every opportunity to negate the potential loss of learning.

While LPSS is pleased to have experienced academic growth, we recognize that there is still much work to be done. Data received will be used for informational planning as we address learning gaps through intervention and enrichment, extended learning opportunities, ongoing recovery efforts, robust summer learning, and a focus on truancy. We cannot communicate enough the importance of regular school attendance - as it is critical to a student’s success. It is imperative that students attend school regularly in order to not fall further behind. The cumulative impact of frequent absences beginning in elementary school significantly increases the likelihood of a child becoming a high school dropout.

Due to a number of extenuating circumstances, the LDOE is not issuing letter grades as it has done in the past. Instead, only numeric scores are provided. The “C19-” prefix reported with scores denotes the simulated nature of the results due to the fact that state assessments were administered during the COVID-19 pandemic. By utilizing a C19-###.# format, the department can increase the likelihood that future analyses of data will include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as a consideration. According to LDOE, it is important to note that assessment results may not accurately reflect student learning due to higher than usual rates of student non-participation in testing, in addition to disruptions caused by the pandemic and hurricanes. The Louisiana Department of Education reports that the state, overall, experienced a 1.8 decrease in simulated scores and also reports that 71% of districts had a simulated DPS that was lower than their 2019 DPS. More information released by the department can be found in their Data Center and FAQs.

Superintendent Irma D. Trosclair states, “I am extremely proud of our school system, which despite many barriers to learning, pushed hard for students. While we celebrate the overall increase in student performance, we understand the importance of the critical work that lies ahead and urge our entire Lafayette community to continue to work collaboratively in the best interest of the students we serve. We must remain focused on making decisions that impact our students in the most positive way. Having a strategic approach to academic recovery and acceleration may deter any potential impacts disproportionately affecting our students’ educational careers. This is a major responsibility on the part of all adults who play a role in the lives of students. We must remember that our work is about kids. Thank you to our school leaders, educators, support staff, Board of Education, parents, and community partners for working together so that teaching and learning continue. Lastly, a huge congratulations to the rock stars of the Lafayette Parish School System, our students!”

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