According to a study conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, black students in Louisiana are struggling to keep up with their peers on key education tests. According to the study, Louisiana has one of the highest percentages of black students and some of the lowest tests scores, second to only Mississippi.

State Superintendent of Education John White says that even though the numbers look bleak, the state has made major gains in recent years.

Some of stats of note from the study are:

16 percent of black fourth-graders in Louisiana scored proficient or higher in math compared to 19 percent of African-American students nationally and 40 percent among all students.

17 percent of black fourth-graders in Louisiana scored proficient or better in reading versus 18 percent nationally and 36 percent among all students.

In eighth-grade math, 7 percent of Louisiana black students were proficient compared to 12 percent nationally and 33 percent among all students nationwide.

In eighth-grade reading, 12 percent of black students in Louisiana were proficient or better compared to 15 percent nationally and 34 percent among all students.

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