Remedial LEAP classes begin

• By MARSHA SILLS
• Advocate Acadiana bureau
• Published: Jun 11, 2009 - Page: 1BA

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LAFAYETTE — Fourth- and eighth-grade students who didn’t master grade level math and English skills on the high stakes LEAP test are back in the classroom this summer.

Students have the option to enroll in LEAP summer remediation to improve their skills, take the test again and advance to the next grade.

But more fourth-graders have opted to enroll in the remediation program — compared to their older peers — which concludes later this month.

The standardized test is high stakes with students required to score at least basic in either math or English and approaching basic in the other subject to progress to meet promotional standards.

An estimated 550 fourth-graders were eligible for LEAP summer remediation and between 470 and 480 enrolled in the summer program, said Tim Tate, Lafayette Parish Schools math/science supervisor for middle and high schools.

Fewer eighth-graders opted to take the second chance.

Among eighth-graders, 650 to 660 were eligible, yet an estimated 460 to 470 students enrolled, Tate said.

Tate said the figures are estimates because enrollment numbers fluctuate and the district is still reviewing its test data.

There’s no fee for the program, and transportation is provided — unlike regular summer school where students pay to retake failed courses.

Last year at the end of summer remediation, the district’s number of students who met the promotional standard exceeded the state average.

After spring and summer testing, 87 percent of Lafayette Parish fourth-graders met the standard, while the statewide average was 84 percent.

Among eighth-graders, 81 percent of Lafayette Parish students met the standard after spring and summer testing compared with the statewide average of 76 percent.

Of students tested, at least 282 parish fourth-graders, or 13 percent, and 401 eight-graders, or 19 percent, still did not meet the standard.