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Baker Schools Test Scores Improve

Posted on: Thursday, 29 December 2005, 18:00 CST

By CHUCK HUSTMYRE

Baker schools test scores improve

BAKER The School Board listened to an explanation Tuesday of the recently released Louisiana Department of Educations school performance scores.

Barbara Thomas-Parker, who supervises the Baker school systems federally mandated No Child Left Behind program, told board members that although the 2005 results showed improvement over the last rating period two years ago, Baker Middle School fell behind in one area and did not meet one of its goals, called an annual measurable objective.

Students labeled economically disadvantaged scored below their targeted score in math, she said. The staff at the middle school is working with a consultant to develop an improvement plan, Thomas- Parker said.

A school performance report handed out during Tuesdays meeting showed that Baker High scored 68.7, nearly 19 points higher than in 2003, while Baker Middle School earned a score of 68.5, almost five points higher than its last score.

Baker Heights, Bakerfield, and Park Ridge elementary schools scored 64.6, 66.9, and 65.1, respectively.

The elementary schools previous scores were not immediately available.

The results are a part of annual school performance scores, which rate 1,348 schools on key tests and dropout and attendance rates. The results are based on scores from the spring, before hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck south Louisiana and closed some schools.

Gains took place statewide, even though the minimum score that schools had to achieve to avoid a label of unacceptable rose from 45 to 60 this year.

Superintendent Lester Klotz said he was pleased with the overall results. Although the middle schools score was deficient on the average yearly progress, they did make progress, he said.

Thomas-Parker also reported to the School Board that 722 students had taken advantage of four after-school tutoring programs that began last week.

The board also heard a presentation from Sid Newman, executive director of Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers, about a partnership between Crime Stoppers and the Baker school system. The partnership, also in East Baton Rouge Parish schools, would allow students to anonymously report crimes committed at Baker schools.

Although Crime Stoppers does offer cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest, Newman said that in his experience most students arent interested in money. They want to be crime free, he said.

Following the presentation, the School Board voted to delay adoption of a partnership agreement until Klotz and Newman could draft one specifically tailored to Bakers needs.

The School Board scheduled its next regular meeting for 5:30 p.m., Dec. 6 at the Municipal Auditorium. The meeting will be held before the school systems Christmas program.

Source: Advocate; Baton Rouge, La.

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