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NEWS

More LEAP waivers sought

BESE to study panel’s proposal
  • By WILL SENTELL
  • Advocate Capitol News Bureau
  • Published: May 13, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

Public-school eighth-graders would be given new ways to get around a key state test required for promotion under a plan recommended to the state’s top school board.

The proposal is scheduled for review today by a committee of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and could take effect with eighth-graders this summer, officials said.

The exam under review is the  Louisiana Educational Assessment Program.

The test is designed to make sure that students master basic skills in math and English, and meet other course requirements, before they move to the ninth grade.

State education leaders contend new exceptions to the passing rules are needed because too many eighth-graders are failing the test, leaving overage students in middle school.

Critics contend the change would water down the state passing standard.

LEAP results fall into five categories: advanced, mastery, basic, approaching basic and unsatisfactory.

Students are supposed to achieve at least “basic” in one subject and “approaching basic” in the other for promotion.

However, the influential School and District Accountability Commission, which includes 31 principals, superintendents and others, has recommended a widening of the state’s waiver policy for students who fail to meet the standard.

The new rules would allow eighth-graders to be promoted if they:

  • Score “approaching basic” in both subjects on either the spring test or summer retest and meet other standards.
Under current rules, that waiver is allowed only for students with such scores on the summer retest.
  • Score “approaching basic” in math and English in spring and summer tests even if the score was “unsatisfactory” in the other subject each time.
For instance, a student who scored “approaching basic” in English and “unsatisfactory” in math in the spring and “unsatisfactory” in English and “approaching basic” in math in the summer retest could be promoted.

Under current rules, students with an “unsatisfactory” in math or English have to score “mastery” or “advanced” on the other to qualify for a waiver.

n Score “basic” in either math or English, “unsatisfactory” in the other and “approaching basic” or better in science and social studies, which are also on the exam.

The commission made its recommendations on May 1.


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Lee
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
8:31 AM

NO MORE! My son worked hard all year long to pass the LEAP test. We are not rich (below or just at poverty level), I am raising him on my own and he has a disability, i.e., Asperger's and ADHD. I am sick and tired of parents who moan and groan about their situations when their children fail to pass the LEAP test or graduation exam. It is not the teachers fault or economic standing in the community or if a child is being raised by one parent or has a disability or is a minority. If the child fails the test then one should look to the child. It takes the child working hard at studying and it takes the parent or parents being involved in their childs education. The blame game or give me more than what I deserve needs to stop once and for all!
Suze
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
8:33 AM

34% of 8th graders FAILED the Leap test!! What an embarrassment. Louisiana has the worst schools in the nation, and instead of trying to improve the Superintendents just want to lower the standards even more! I've never lived in a state with such a terrible school system and removed my kids immediately from the schools because the schools are YEARS behind other states. Wake up and smell the roses - no one wants to move to LA because your schools stink and moves like this just make the state an even worse place to live. I'm praying to be transfered out soon!!!
Coach-Educator
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
8:38 AM

I only have one question....when will PRIVATE/PAROCHIAL students have to take the test in order to receive the SAME diploma that public school students receive? At this point, as far as I'm concerned, nothing else matters.
leaphaha
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
8:45 AM

Why should ab/ab on spring test this year have to attend summer school if this should pass? Holding a student back because of 1 STATE TEST makes no sense ! Its only makes them feel like a failure,they are put under to much pressure This test should be used as a tool to help students in a subject that they are haveing problems in , Not make the feel like a failure, Lets see the people who are voting on the changes and our teacher try to pass!!
Kelly
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
8:47 AM

Every parent -- and every business person, for that matter -- should be outraged by the idea of loosening public education standards. Does the state of Louisiana have education standards or not? Do we believe our children are capable of learning and contributing to society or not? If the test is not right, fix it. If students need more tutoring, provide it. But enough with the excuses. What we need to teach our children is that the right way is often not the easy way. Teach them that the adults in their lives will not give up on them. Do whatever it takes to give these children the tools to succeed on the test and in life. Someone out there has studied these issues and come up with some answers. Let's put in the effort these kids deserve. Failure is not an option.
joe
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
9:01 AM

"Asperger's and ADHD", congrats in the hard work and success. Coach, I think they will be required to pass of some sort as soon as their ACT and SAT scores indicate that there is a problem. The students recieve a quality education at mosly their parents expense which saves the state and local school systems a bundle. I am dissapointed that your only concern is that question. The public schools in Louisiana are at the bottom in the United States. My concern is that Louisiana seems to be playing "how dumb can you get " game. Lower graduation requirements, lower admission standards to the Flagship University, create a new class on notaries because the current test is too hard, and the legislators want to triple their salary. I hope Jindal doesn't play Nero.
dave
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
9:14 AM

I hate to break it to you but if they fail that test, they are failures and they need to understand that it takes hard work to succeed and if they don't put out the effort, that will fail. The worst thing that you could do is send a kid to the 9th grade when they are a failure at 8th grade material. They may have gotten passing grades from teachers at their school in those subjects but that is probably because the teachers are afraid to give them failing grades. That is the reason that standardized tests are necessary, some schools are not teaching and grading properly.
leaphaha
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
9:41 AM

Dave, Lets see you pass you don't have a clue what you are talking about . I have proof they can make it in 9th. You must not be a parent .
Dianne
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
11:51 AM

Dear Amber, Perhaps if you learned the english language you could pass the leap test. Your comment has numerous gramatical errors and misspellings in it. How did you ever make the honor roll? As an employer, I would discard a resume or letter with such errors. If you want to pass the leap test try reading more books. Hopefully your spelling and grammer will improve if you read more.
susan
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
12:14 PM

Alot of our kids are smart and do make good grades all year long. But for some of them they just dont do well under pressure. My child is one of those and even though he didnt make it high enough to pass these tests i am proud of him regardless for workin hard trying and stayin for after school classes in order to prepare and help him pass which in his case still didnt quite get him there and again he is willing to go to summer class for it ! In my opinion they should do away with these leap tests tryin to crame all these subjects in ,in that short of time is not fair for the students and especially the ones who are slow and do have add/adhd disadvantages and my son is add.
Carol
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
12:17 PM

My guess is that students who don't pass the 8th grade LEAP have struggled for quite a while. At some point a line must be drawn. Students who don't pass in 8th grade need some program of intervention or they won't make it down the line. The educational statistics are terrible for Louisiana. Even if we lower the standards for LSU, students don't graduate and leave after a number of years with no degree and lots of debt. How much better to step in early (8th grade LEAP) and make meaningful changes. Let's throw out terms like "failure" and "grade" and just keep at it until we get them educated! Keep the test and don't lower the standards.
Mad Mom
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
3:15 PM

I am terribly offended at some of the responses posted. I am an educator..., a loving and supportive parent, AND pay tuition for my child to attend school...and my child failed the 8th grade leap test. The problem is this...the LEAP test doesn't measure what is being taught. For those of you out there bashing students for failing a test, but otherwise are passing classes, I challenge you to get your hands on some of this material they are tested on and see how you might do. This test is not a "one size fits all"! not only that...entirely too much pressure is placed on these kids. There are many reasons students fail tests...and it is not because they didn't study. Anxiety, not being a good test taker, environment issues...there are many external factors that play a part. One more thing................ ***Calling an 8th grade student a failure is a bit harsh. Someone needs to educate you on the word failure. Please understand there is a difference in failing a test and being a failure. I am not judging you...but maybe you need to check your intelligence level.
Rob
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5:22 PM

After reading your comments Suze... we're praying you are transferred out of Louisiana too. A test does not indicate if one is a success or failure. If so, many of us (including you guys who posted) would be in extreme trouble as for advancement in our careers. I agree with Mad Mom, leaphaha and Susan. Some people (not just eigth graders) have trouble with exams. Especially comprehensive exams. Why do you guys think most colleges allow students who maintain an A grade or better exemption from the course final? I do hope Jindal helps our state rise from the bottom ranks in education as well as the many other areas we fall short in. But, it will take time and resolute. And, I'm not going to bash our state nor call it an embarassment as you have Suze. And continuing to allow a test to be administered that actually leaves kids behind is wrong. They should be judged on their cumlative work & exams throughout the year, not a single comprehensive exam.
Paul
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5:51 PM

I hate to break it to all of you, but a child who fails the leap test is not a failure. The school system is. The LEAP test is a punishment for the student but what are we doing to hold teachers and school systems accountable? They want raises every year but them making more money won't make them teach better. If we are going to hold students responsible via LEAP, then there needs to be a test the teachers are required to pass as well. Right now we are telling students, you failed LEAP therefore you are a failure. All the while the person responsible for their education has no accountability. Tell me where that is equitable treatment.
Paul
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5:57 PM

Lee - You are completely off base. Failing the leap test is not always the child's fault. In most cases I would argue the teachers and schools failed to properly prepare them for the test. School is not self-study. Teachers have to TEACH. Yes, students have to apply themselves and those that do not will have difficulty. The high number of students failing the test indicates the problem is with the teaching and not the learning.
Renee` LaBauve
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
10:58 PM

Lee, I was at the committee meeting today about the waivers and I spoke against them. I'm glad your special needs son passed the LEAP but mine did not. I'm not asking for anything Blake does not deserve. We are a middle class family that works and pays taxes and my son deserves an apporiate educatioin. He has not been given one. I've spent thousand of dollars and many hours working w/ my son and he stilled failed. I do blame the school system concerning I've done my part! What have they done other than pushed him from grade to grade until the LEAP filter him out!!! It only goes to prove that the school is not doing there job.
Renee` LaBauve
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
11:27 PM

Dave I hate to tell you that you'r e ate up with it!!! Let me tell you one thing my son is not a failure the school system has failed him. I did not put him in the fourth grade on a second grade reading level. The school did however he must have met the standards of the Ascension Parish Pupil Progression Plan to be promoted. NO I don't expected anyone two years below there reading or writing level to pass a test designed for fourth grade students. NO he does not need to advance to the next grade but you know what he will go to summer school, be taught the LEAP, and pass to the fifth grade on a second grade reading level!!! So what do you suggest? Perhaps he will remanin in the fourth grade and turn 12 years old in Jan. and be socially promoted, and maybe by then his reading level will be a little better haha!!! That's what your tax money buys in Louisiana the highest standards in the nation with the worse test scores. Read my letter in the opinion section. I don't like failures especially when they have my son's education in there hands. Failed and failure are very different terms. On thing is for certain the LEAP will turn a child into a failure and force him out of school if he never succeeds pass the eight grade. We should be looking at why our children are failing this test and strenghting the weak links, i.e. teaching skills and style, teachers, school board, and BESE.
Private Name
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
7:04 PM

My child have been making good grades all his life, and on the fourth grade test he had a Mastery and Advanced. He does all his work and when the LEAP test come he gets very nervous. He studied and studied all day, but when he got home he was crying. He had two approaching basics and was very upset. His teacher said he was very nervous and took his time but failed. I think it is not his fault they put so much pressure on kids these days. They have students that failed all they life with approaching basic by one point it is not fair. Some teachers don't teach nothing these days. My son had to transfer to another school because teachers couldn't control the students and my son try to learn with all that confusion.
DEIRDRE
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
11:52 AM

I would like to make a remark on theLouisiana leap t