Program targets ninth-graders
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A committee of the state’s top school board voted Tuesday to expand Louisiana’s bid to trim the rate of high school dropouts by launching innovative classes for ninth-graders.
The effort has been under way for the past year in 53 schools statewide, including nine in the Baton Rouge area.
The action on Tuesday would expand that list for the current school year by 20 schools, which would apply for state assistance.
Schools picked would collect $60,000 over three years.
Focus areas can include:
Educators say retaining ninth-graders is the key to improving the dropout rate.
The state has about 190,000 high school students. The goal is to trim the dropout rate by half in the next decade.
First-year results with the 53 schools are encouraging, said Kathy Mouton, executive director for high school redesign.
“When you look at the data, there is definitely a positive impact in attendance, student performance, that sort of thing,” Mouton told the state’s High School Redesign Committee.
The panel is part of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which sets policies for public school students statewide.
The committee approved the spending of $1.4 million over three years to add the 20 schools. The full board is expected to do the same on Thursday.
Schools that seek the money have to file applications by Sept. 29. The state grants will be awarded on Oct. 27.
Schools already taking part include Central, Tara and Zachary high schools in East Baton Rouge Parish and Dutchtown, St. Amant and East Ascension high schools in Ascension Parish.
An overall review on how the program is faring is due next month, Mouton told the committee.
The effort has been under way for the past year in 53 schools statewide, including nine in the Baton Rouge area.
The action on Tuesday would expand that list for the current school year by 20 schools, which would apply for state assistance.
Schools picked would collect $60,000 over three years.
Focus areas can include:
- New ways to detect early warnings for dropouts.
- Steps to help students catch up with needed credits.
- Activities to improve literacy skills.
Educators say retaining ninth-graders is the key to improving the dropout rate.
The state has about 190,000 high school students. The goal is to trim the dropout rate by half in the next decade.
First-year results with the 53 schools are encouraging, said Kathy Mouton, executive director for high school redesign.
“When you look at the data, there is definitely a positive impact in attendance, student performance, that sort of thing,” Mouton told the state’s High School Redesign Committee.
The panel is part of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which sets policies for public school students statewide.
The committee approved the spending of $1.4 million over three years to add the 20 schools. The full board is expected to do the same on Thursday.
Schools that seek the money have to file applications by Sept. 29. The state grants will be awarded on Oct. 27.
Schools already taking part include Central, Tara and Zachary high schools in East Baton Rouge Parish and Dutchtown, St. Amant and East Ascension high schools in Ascension Parish.
An overall review on how the program is faring is due next month, Mouton told the committee.
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