DeEdrick Langford, Roshunda Turner, Latasha Williams, and LaErica Ellis react to the sight of a snake. It was all part of a study of reptiles by the kindergarten classes at Barkdull Faulk School in the Monroe City School System. Teresa Foreman, accountability manager for the Monroe City School district,said the LEAP preparations will be even more intense this coming school year. I think our teachers are a lot more aware of what students will be required to do on both the IOWA test of basic skills and the LEAP test. Mickey Jackson, curriculum director for Ouachita Parish, said the push to make sure the children are thoroughly prepared for LEAP would continue.
Every day is devoted to aligning an instructional program with standards and benchmarks.
Finger pointing will not improve test scores. Accountability is a responsibility of students, teachers and parents, Jackson said. Parents in Ouachita Parish have also been supportive of passing taxes to help the school district's growth. By June 2000, the school system had 10 renovation projects going and four new schools under construction. Tammy K. Rodgers helps Jo Ellen Roy with her story at Ouachita Parish High School.