St. Mary Parish fourth-graders made significant proficiency gains on LEAP tests in English Language Arts — from 64 percent in 2007 to 73 percent in 2008 — and an increase in Mathematics from 59 percent in 2007 to 71 percent in 2008, according to Schools Superintendent Dr. Donald Aguillard.

Additionally, fourth-grader proficiency results for ELA and Mathematics were both 2 percentage points above the state average.

Parish public school eighth-graders posted a slight decline, with 59 percent in 2007 to 58 percent in 2008 for ELA; and 61 percent in 2007 to 59 percent in 2008 for Mathematics.

Tenth-graders showed substantial gains with ELA at 89 percent in 2008 from 83 percent in 2007; and 84 percent in 2007 to 91 percent in 2008 for Mathematics.

Science scores for 11th-graders increased slightly from 84 percent in 2007 to 85 percent in 2008; and Social Studies scores were at a standstill at 86 percent.

All four core subject groups scored above the state average with ELA at 89 percent compared to the state average of 82 percent; Mathematics at 91 percent compared to 82 percent; Science at 85 percent compared to 82 percent; and Social Studies at 86 percent compared to 84 percent.

St. Mary Parish School Board Accountability Manager Kevin P. Derise stated that approximately 80 fewer fourth-graders will be required to attend mandatory summer remediation this year compared to 2007.

Schools Superintendent Dr. Donald Aguillard extended his congratulations to the entire district for staying focused.

"Fourth grade LEAP data confirms that our literacy and numeracy initiatives have markedly reduced the population of students requiring fourth grade remediation," he said.

Nearly 8 in 10 fourth-grade students have achieved the LEAP promotional standard, according to Aguillard.

Also, Aguillard stated that the eighth-graders continue to perform near the state average and expectations are high for further improvement.

"Tenth- and 11th-grade GEE score increases raise heightened expectations that more students will ultimately graduate with a diploma endorsement as a part of the high school redesign initiative," noted Aguillard.