With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
LAUSD Students Haven't Taken State Tests Since Before The Pandemic. Here Are The New Scores
Photo by doviende via Flickr
()
The Los Angeles Unified School District released results on Friday from the first round of standardized state tests since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The tests, which are aligned with the state's academic standards, had shown some small progress over the past decade.
Most students haven’t taken these tests since 2019. This year, fewer LAUSD students met or exceeded state standards:
- 42% in reading, vs. 44% in 2019
- 28% in math, vs. 33% in 2019
That dip in math scores erases about five years of progress:
Support for LAist comes from
Even as students returned to school in August, district officials had begun warning of a drop in test scores. Leaders said the learning interruptions caused by the pandemic — remote learning, mental health issues, ongoing absences — all but promised a decline.
State test scores are often criticized for more closely tracking students’ household incomes rather than actual learning. Fluctuations in test scores can be used to make any number of political points. But Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said the downward trend underscores an important truth.
“The pandemic deeply impacted the performance of our students," Carvalho said. "Particularly, kids who were at risk and in a fragile condition prior to the pandemic — as we expected — were the ones who lost most ground.”
While not exactly a surprise, LAUSD’s numbers are another bad omen for statewide results, which are expected later this fall.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails.
Best of LAist