At least 45 percent of the students in Louisiana’s voucher program last year attended schools that were rated D or F on the state’s grading scale, a new report indicates. The state released scores only for one-fifth of the 118 voucher schools.
The state tests only voucher students at private schools, so the grades reflect only their scores. The calculations are nearly identical to those used for public schools.
Students in the program are nevertheless making gains, according to state officials. Between 2008 and 2013, the percentage of students deemed proficient in 3rd grade English/language arts has grown by 20 percentage points and in math by 28 percentage points.
