Test Scores Up for Students in L.A. Unified

By City News Service

Students in the Los Angeles Unified School District showed progress in standardized English and math tests, according to results released by the U.S. Department of Education Wednesday.

LAUSD fourth-grade students scored an average of 228 in math in 2013, up 12 points from 2003. The big, urban school district average nationally was 235. About 25 percent of fourth-graders were "proficient" or better in math, up 12 points over the past decade. The national rate for fourth-grade proficiency or better in math is 42 percent, while the big, urban school district rate is 33 percent.

The district's eighth-graders averaged 264 in math, below the national average of 284 and the 276 average for big, urban districts. The LAUSD score was up 19 points from 10 years ago.

In the LAUSD, 18 percent of eighth graders were proficient or better in math, 11 points higher than 2003. The national rate is 34 percent, and the big, urban district rate is 27 percent.

LAUSD fourth-graders averaged 205 in English, 11 points higher than in 2003. The national average is 221, and the big, urban district average is 212.

The percentage of fourth-graders proficient or better in English jumped from 11 percent in 2003 to 18 percent this year. The national rate is 34 percent, and the big, urban district rate is 26 percent.

Eighth-graders averaged 250 in English, up 16 points from 2003. That compares to a national average of 266 and a big, urban school district average of 258.

Proficiency in eighth-grade English also improved in the LAUSD, with 19 percent scoring proficient or better, up from 11 percent in 2003. The national rate was 35 percent, and the big, urban district rate was 26 percent.

"I'm proud of the performance of our youth," LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy said. "To see such amazing progress the past three years is a 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."