EPSB’s district scores released

Evangeline Parish’s District Performance Scores (DPS) for 2006 and 2007 were released recently, and the district gained a little when compared to the previous scores.

DPS scores are a measurement of how districts compare to other local public school systems. Sixty-one districts received scores.

Michael Lombas, supervisor for the district, said the district grew by 1.2 percentage points. In 2005 and 2006, the district was ranked 75.5, and it grew to 76.7.

This year, the district has worked hard to improve the scores. They offered programs like Twilight School, tutoring, etc. to improve test scores. Recently, students completed the week of testing and individual scores should be released before the end of the school year. However, district scores will not be known until this time next year.

Lombas said there are several obstacles Evangeline Parish faces in regards to scores. It’s eighth grade retention is considered unacceptable in ranking. That means the stats for eighth graders, who repeat eighth grade and do not graduate, are high. Other factors like the parish’s numbers being considerably higher than other parishes when considering the special education population contribute to the district scores.

In the district rating, Evangeline Parish, ranked 45th, received a label of one star. The district would have to score 100 points to receive a two start ranking. Last year’s scores motivated the faculty and supervisors to implement new plans and new programs to help students achieve. They will be waiting for the first round of scores, the individual scores, to see if this will be an indicator on whether district scores and other accountability labels will improve for the parish.

“There was very little movement in the individual district ratings,” according to the state’s news release. It went on to say, “For the 2006-2007 school year, five districts achieved three-star status, compared to four the previous year, and 33 districts earned a two-star rating, the same as in 2005-2006. The state also has three districts rated as Academically Unacceptable, an increase from two the year before. The state earned an overall two-star rating.”

“What we learned this year is that we have school districts in Louisiana that are making strides, but that isn’t enough,” said state Superintendent Paul Pastorek. “We are going to continue working with these districts that aren’t where they need to be, and to take a hard look as a state at our plans to fulfill the promises that we’ve made to our children.”