[StBernard] Week or day in Review:

[Westley Annis]

Jer,
 
   I'll give you the same argument I gave to the times 10 years ago
concerning the LEAP. WHen the LEAP was to be initiated, these tests would be
given. Kids who fell below standards were suppose to go to these "super"
classrooms where there would be less kids per teacher to get the kids caught
up. It would allow schools to make adjustments in curriculum, etc. At the
same time, there was a huge scandal about an "unqualified" teacher teaching
algebra and now the kids had to go to summer school. ANd, the passing score
for the test would be a 40.
  First, Louisiana didn't have enough teachers to fill the classrooms that
were qualified, yet they were going to make "super" classes for those behind
or failed the test, how? The schools were out of classroom space, so where
were these classes going to be held? If you have teachers coming and going
through retirement and transfers, how is a truly accurate gauge going to be
set to see if it's the teacher or curriculum? Lastly, where was the state
going to get the money to implement these things?
 
  Fast forward ten years...the super classrooms never came, kids were just
failed or retested until they were coached and passed. Louisiana's school
system has not moved up in ranks one iota. So is the LEAP test worth it's
weight or costs?
 
  I took the first ever LEAP tests, we were the "Crash test dummies" for
this pilot program. I did well, but my teachers didn't teach me for a test,
they taught me for knowledge, and the test was then simple. Today, most
teachers teach to a test. What are our kids missing from this nonsense?
 
Wendy H