T’bonne schools among state’s best, despite high poverty

Since their inception, schools nationwide have been faced with challenges, both big and small. As poverty encroaches, those struggles become even more tiresome.

But schools in Terrebonne Parish have broken the barrier when it comes to learning, earning high marks for schools that perform above average, but have a large student body that find themselves at odds with poverty.

Each year, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) identifies schools across the region that are overcoming the many challenges associated with teaching in areas that have large populations of poor and minority youth. For those that make the grade, literally, they receive the High-Performing, High-Poverty (HPHP) designation.

In 2008 and 2009, 20 schools made the list. This year the number catapulted to 35, spread across nearly 20 districts statewide. In Terrebonne, two schools made the cut – Bayou Black Elementary School and Dularge Middle School.

Out of the 35 schools, 18 made the list last year.

The increased number of schools “…clearly illustrates that across the state the education community has embraced the fundamental idea that all children can learn, regardless of their race or socio-economic status,” said the state’s superintendent of education Paul Pastorek in a news release. “These 35 schools in particular have effectively overcome the complex challenges that have historically plagued a majority of Louisiana public schools.”

Now, the lines of communication are no longer about why schools fail, but what can be done to achieve success, he added.

However, to earn that distinction, schools must jump through multiple hoops.

Most notably, a baseline performance score of 100 or higher must be achieved for two consecutive years, which is hinged on students’ scores on state assessments, attendance, non-dropout and graduation rates.

If a school’s performance score is below 110 and drops by 2.5 points or more in a single academic year, it will not receive the designation and is considered a school in decline.

At least 65 percent of the school’s student body must also be enrolled in the free or reduced-price meal program, which is a national indicator used to measure poverty.

“The HPHP program was launched in 2008, when the [Department of Education] set out to identify schools that had achieved high academic success, despite having to overcome the social challenges associated with high-poverty student populations. In 2009, the department raised the criteria for schools to qualify for the HPHP title,” according to the news release.

“Because we made it harder to qualify for the HPHP designation, we are extremely pleased that the number of schools making the list almost doubled from last year to this year,” said State Deputy Superintendent of Education Ollie Tyler in the release.

Through the HPHP study, officials are also aiming to find strategies and instructional methods that could help other high-poverty schools succeed.

For now, those that were recognized seem to be enjoying the spotlight.

“We applaud you for refusing to allow disadvantaged circumstances to prevent your students from receiving a world-class education,” added Pastorek in a letter to school officials. “Your willingness to approach your work using unconventional methods and ideas has paid off for your students.”

Glenny Buquet, an area representative for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, chimed in and congratulated the Terrebonne-based schools in letter on Dec. 18, 2009.

“This acknowledgement is a testament that the principals, teachers, and students in your school are working together to accomplish our unified vision of creating a world class education for all students in Louisiana,” she said in the correspondence.

“Your school has clearly focused on the needs of the students, and has persevered in the midst of challenges and adversity,” Buquet added.

Kathy Mazarac reviews spelling words in her 3rd grade classroom. The school was one of two in Terrebonne Parish to recently receive recognition for its high performance. * Photo by MICHAEL DAVIS