Rita Hutchinson
July 31, 2008
Helen Ann Hebert Martin
August 4, 2008
Raising test scores and reading and math proficiency are the top priorities in the Terrebonne Parish School District for the 2008-09 school year.
Last year, the percentage of students classified as proficient under “No Child Left Behind” exceeded state numbers at almost all grade levels in English/language arts, science and social studies.
However, as part of the law’s mandates, schools must show continuous improvement in students achieving the state minimum requirements on LEAP and GEE tests.
“That’s a big challenge,” said School Superintendent Ed Richard Jr.
Students who failed to pass the LEAP (4th and 8th graders) or GEE (10th and 11th graders) test in March were placed in summer school and retook the exams in June. They will not know if they have been promoted to the next grade until school starts on Tuesday.
“The results come in Aug. 4 and the students’ first day is Aug. 5,” Richard said.
Richard has emphasized making productive readers of all students throughout his tenure. Those efforts included an illiteracy symposium for language arts teachers earlier this month and a new reading initiative that complements LEAP testing.
“The reading series we just adopted goes along with the GLEs (Grade Level Expectations), as the grade level objectives that we have to teach,” he said. “The new series actually coincides with the test, so it’s a win-win situation.”
For the past two years, mathematics scores were below the state average for all grade levels except the fifth grade. Eighth grade level scores have been particularly troublesome.
“That level begins algebra for the next year, so math in the 8th grade is extremely challenging,” Richard said.
Modular buildings were erected at six parish elementary schools over the summer – Coteau Bayou Blue, Schriever, Acadian, East Houma, Bourg and Honduras.
A combination of a population spurt in the northern part of the parish and additional pre-K enrollment will cause some elementary schools to see significant rise in students.
“Right now, it seems like Mulberry, Coteau Bayou Blue, and Schriever will be increasing somewhat,” the superintendent said.
While all elementary schools will have pre-K, how many classes will be in each school has yet to be determined. Richard is confident the district has the teachers necessary to handle to influx.
“I believe we have got mostly certified teachers or highly qualified if not certified teachers,” he said.
As teachers fix up their classrooms and prepare lesson plans, Richard hopes all students are enrolled by Friday so everyone can report to school as soon as possible.
“It’s a reminder that parents are the first teachers,” he said. “To make the public schools successful, we need to work in conjunction with them.”
Richard wants students to be as passionate by the start of school as he is.
“I bring a passion to the job that’s second to none,” he said. “I’m always excited about a new year.”
Terrebonne Parish School Superintendent Ed Richard Jr. (left) and Assistant Personnel Supervisor Alton Johnson look over staffing at the central office in Houma. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
