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Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Suspends State Testing for LA's 4th and 8th Graders

Posted on: Monday, 3 October 2005, 03:01 CDT

By Capochino, April

Fourth- and eighth-grade students will not have to take the LEAP test this year, according to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. However, high school students must pass the Graduation Exit Exam to graduate.

This should not be interpreted as a relaxing of our accountability program, said State Superintendent of Education Cecil Picard. Accountability is the engine driving education reform in our state, and I expect it to continue once this extraordinary time has passed. We must do what's best for the children of our state, and that's why we will continue testing this year, but with consideration for the difficult things children are experiencing due to the hurricanes.Following an emergency Tuesday meeting, BESE made the decision as it discussed several educational issues brought on by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The board also approved the following recommendations of the state Department of Education that will be in effect for one year:

* The state Education Department asked the U.S. Department of Education to calculate School Performance Scores (a combination of students' test scores and attendance scores, which determines a school's level of performance) only for students enrolled in schools or districts for two years. The state education department also asked that schools or districts not be moved into a higher level of school improvement based on the 2005-06 school year calculations.

* State education officials want to give displaced Louisiana high school students no matter where they are now located the ability to receive a Louisiana diploma if they have the 23 required credits and pass the GEE. This waiver also gives local school districts the ability to sign student transcripts if school principals are unavailable.

* Picard will approve revised calendars for districts closed for a significant period of time.

* For kindergarten through third grade, class sizes will increase from 26 students to 28 students. For pre-kindergarten programs, classes will increase from 20 students to 22 students.

BESE also heard a report for department staff about the state's education funding formula. (Each students is assigned a per pupil cost, which helps state and federal education officials figure out how much money is needed annually). Education officials said they will be asking local school districts for monthly enrollment information to make federal and/or state allocations if the money is appropriated. BESE will be able to adopt a revised funding formula and seek legislative approval, as soon as the federal funding picture becomes clearer, state education official said.

(Copyright 2005 Dolan Media Newswires)

Source: New Orleans CityBusiness

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