Parish sees first increase in 3 years

ACT scores are on the rise again in Calcasieu Parish following three years of stagnant results, school system officials said.

Calcasieu Parish School Board spokeswoman Holly Holland said the average score for parish students increased from 19.6 in 2013 — when BESE started offering all high school students free access to the test — to 20 in 2017. The parish earned a consistent 19.7 average in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

“We attribute the growth to several things,” Superintendent Karl Brucchaus told the American Press. “The implementation of focused ACT concentration in specialized class offerings and in regular class settings is one key factor, as well as weekend boot camps designed to focus on ACT preparation.”

Calcasieu’s average score is slightly higher than the state average of 19.6.

Holland said four high schools — Barbe, Sam Houston, Sulphur and Westlake — earned scores greater than 20. Barbe High’s average score was 21.5; Sam Houston, 20.9; Sulphur, 20.6; and Westlake, 20.2. 

Holland said nine of the parish’s 11 high schools reported growth in their overall composite scores, with Westlake experiencing the most growth by outperforming its 2016 average of 19.5.

She said Sulphur reported a half-point growth from its 2016 average and that Bell City and Iowa high schools both increased their average scores by 0.4 points.

“Our growth in Advanced Placement performances also contributes to better ACT outcomes,” Brucchaus said. 

Earlier this month, the School Board said Calcasieu Parish students scoring 3 or higher on AP exams last year rose 6 percent, and the number scoring 4 or higher rose 7 percent.

Scores on AP exams range from 1 to 5, and exams are given in 38 subjects. A student has to score at least a 3 to earn credit at colleges and universities.

Special to the American Press