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LA Unified students showed significant gains in the National Assessment of Educational Progress, according to data released today.

Fourth-grade students recorded the highest gain – four points— among 21 urban school systems since 2011; fourth-graders also scored higher in math, and eighth-graders scored higher in reading.

“I’m proud of the performance of our youth,” Superintendent John Deasy said in a statement. “To see such amazing progress the past three years is testament to their commitment, as well as our extraordinary teaching and leadership. The work we’ve been doing in the midst of challenging economic circumstances convincingly demonstrates that poverty is not destiny.”

The assessments, which are also known as “the nation’s report card,” provide a common measurement of student progress across states and selected urban districts throughout the country.

Students in grades 4, 8 and 12 are assessed every other year in reading and mathematics. Since 2003, LA Unified has participated in the Trial Urban District Assessment, which allows for comparisons at the district level.

Among other highlights for LA Unified students:

• Eighth-graders ranked third among urban districts since 2011, recording another four-point gain.
• Hispanic/Latino, Asian and economically disadvantaged students had the highest gains in reading of all urban districts over the past 10 years.
• African-American and white fourth-grade students scored the highest gains in mathematics for their age group when compared with the other districts surveyed.
• Compared with 2003, mathematics scores in the District increased by 13 points, higher than the national average.

“The 4th and 8th grade students and teachers should be congratulated on their hard work in the face of daunting odds,” Warren Fletcher, president of the teachers union, said in a statement. “While test scores alone do not measure educational progress, UTLA would be remiss in not noting this accomplishment.”

 

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