Today, the Louisiana Department of Education released a summary report on End-of-Course (EOC) exams, and test results show continued gains for high school students as the state transitions away from Graduation Exit Exams toward assessments that better reflect internationally competitive goals.

New testing standards are one component of Louisiana Believes, the state's comprehensive plan to empower educators and parents to make the best choices for children.

Comparing student scores on the Algebra I test from 2010-2011 to 2011-2012, the percentage of students performing at the levels of Excellent or Good increased from 51 to 56. The percentage of students receiving a score of Excellent or Good has risen 19 percentage points since 2007-2008, the first year EOC exams were administered for Algebra I.

Additionally, the statewide percentage of students scoring Excellent or Good on the English II exam rose from 61 to 66 percent between 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. The percentage of students receiving a score of Excellent or Good has risen 17 percentage points since 2008-2009, the first year EOC exams were administered for English II.

Geometry results have also risen, from 41 percent scoring at the Excellent or Good levels in 2010-2011 to 50 percent in 2011-2012. The percentage of students receiving a score of Excellent or Good has risen 16 percentage points since 2009-2010, the first year EOC exams were administered for Geometry.

The percentage of students scoring at the Excellent or Good levels in Biology has risen 8 percentage points, from 43 percent in 2010-2011 to 51 percent in 2011-2012.

EOC exams are administered to students upon completion of core subjects and are designed to measure whether students have mastered the required knowledge, skills, and abilities of the tested course. The content of the assessments is aligned with the state's comprehensive curriculum and is based on grade level expectations. In addition to the current subjects tested, two other subject areas - English III and U.S. History - are being phased in.

Students earn one of four achievement levels on EOC exams: Excellent, Good, Fair, or Needs Improvement. To earn a passing score and eventually graduate, students must earn a rating of Fair, or higher in a subject. A rating of Excellent or Good demonstrates proficiency in a particular subject. Incoming freshmen must earn passing scores on at least three EOC tests during their high school career to take home a state-issued diploma. The three passing scores must be in English II or English III, Algebra I or Geometry, and Biology or U.S. History.