Tri-parish students face iLEAP, GEE testing head on

Just in time for spring break, the students wrapped up a week of testing as they tackled the iLeap, Leap and Graduation Exit Exam that darkens classroom doorsteps every year around this time.

Scoring at par with the state level last year, the teacher and students in the Tri-parish area went into the testing week hopeful for better results.

Since the 2005-06 scores were released in October, the schools have been determined to do whatever it takes to help students improve their testing scores, even going so far as to offer early morning or after-school tutoring. Last week, teachers were on hand to nurture students through the grueling five-day testing process.

Lafourche Parish testing coordinator Julie Bourgeois said her school district is focusing on subgroup and individual performances. After last year’s scores were released, she visited each school.

“We wanted to get into the schools and give the testing information and changes to the teachers to help prepare them for what they would need to know in order to the help the students cope with the testing changes,” Bourgeois said, noting the adjustments to this year’s testing process.

Over the past several weeks, Bourgeois said schools have amped up in-school and after-school support in preparation of the testing week. When testing got under way last Monday, she said the students appeared to be very focused and attentive.

Thibodaux High School Assistant Principal Yvonne Weimer said the teachers have been trained to use the comprehensive curriculum mandated by the state department of education. She said at the high school they looked at the overall weaknesses and strengths of the students.

“The ninth graders did particularly well on the iLeap last year. We use the October results to place improvement emphasis on English and math scores,” Weimer said.

Terrebonne Parish Superintendent Ed Richard said when he visited schools the Friday before testing began the students were excited and ready. The school official said teachers had prepared students for the test, and he hopes the results will back his assumption.

“The students and teachers are committed to their jobs, and I think with the support of the parish everything will work itself out,” Richard said.

St. Mary Parish testing coordinator Kevin Derise said the school district uses testing results to determine needed improvements, a process he hopes will be apparent in this year’s scores.

Berwick Elementary School, one of St. Mary’s top schools, incorporated iLeap and GEE testing in its everyday class settings, according to Assistant Principal and testing coordinator Nicol Armato.

“We wanted the children to practice on a daily basis. We have incorporated computer exercises for the students to complete. We also involved the parents in the improvement process. We gave the students packet to take home and complete with their parents,” she said.

Showing growth in last year’s results, Patterson Junior High School took advantage of the early morning and after-school tutoring programs. The school’s principal and State Principal of the Year winner Molly Stadalis said they used each student’s scores to identify who needed additional help.

Enrichment tutoring was also provided to motivate students capable of scoring in a higher percentage bracket.

“The kids are reporting that they have done their best on the test, and I believe them,” said Stadalis.

Only time will tell whether the Tri-parish students had what it takes to score at or above the state level.