DISTRICT REPORTS SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN STRENGTH OF DIPLOMAS AND GRADUATION RATES
The Louisiana Department of Education’s most recent accountability report showed Livingston Parish continues to improve its cohort graduation rate, which measures the number of students who graduate on time, and its strength of diploma measurement, which accounts for credentials added to the diplomas awarded to students.
Livingston Parish’s graduation rate is currently 87.4 percent – the highest ever for the district. The number of students who successfully matriculate through high school in four years has improved nearly 11 points from 76.2 percent in 2013.
At the same time, the district’s strength of diploma score jumped to 108.5 points, up from 90.5 points in 2013. The latest score represents an 18-point improvement is just six years. Students can strengthen their diplomas by attaining college credit and career certifications that advance their post-secondary education, training and employment desirability, allowing them to enter the workforce or advanced education fields more rapidly and at higher skill levels.
“We continue to identify ways to make our high schools more relevant and responsive to the expectations of today’s workforce as it relates to preparation at higher education institutions, advanced technical and industrial schools, and on-the-job entry positions,” Assistant Superintendent Jody Purvis said.
ROBINSON BROTHERS FORD DONATES CAR TO AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM
Robinson Brothers Ford presented the Livingston Parish Literacy & Technology Center with a 2014 Ford Focus in recognition for being one of the Top 5 programs in the nation to utilize the Ford Learning Management System. Pictured with the car, and some of the parish’s automotive program students, from left to right, are Ford Motor Company Field Service Engineer Paul Evans, Robinson Brothers Ford Service Director Bill Reitenour, AST Instructor Mike Deville, Assistant Superintendent Stephen Parrill, and LPLTC Director Kim Albin.
Robinson Brothers Ford donated a 2014 Ford Focus to the Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center (LPLTC) to further enhance the center’s Automotive Service Technician program, after the program was recognized as one of the best in the nation.
The car is valued at approximately $7,500, and it will give added hands-on practice to the program’s students to prepare them for the Automotive Career Exploration exam that can earn them an entry-level position in the automotive service industry.
LPLTC Director Kim Albin said the center’s Automotive Service Technician program received the donation from Robinson Brothers because Livingston Parish high school students have performed among the nation’s best on the Ford Learning Management System training modules. Ford Motor Company ranked the Livingston Parish program among the nation’s Top 5 school programs.
LIVINGSTON SCHOOLS OFFERING NIGHT CLASSES DURING SPRING SEMESTER
Livingston Parish Public Schools is offering an array of Career & Technical Education night classes to high school students during the spring semester. The courses are open to juniors and seniors, and they include scaffolding, NCCER Carpentry I, NCCER Carpentry II, NCCER Electrical I, NCCER Welding II, Drones, Operation Spark I, and Baking & Pastry.
The courses allow students the opportunity to earn Carnegie credits and industry-based certifications, which can help them advance in their careers or educational options. A $300 stipend will be paid to those students who attain certification in most courses, excluding the baking and pastry class. Students enrolled in the baking and pastry culinary class can receive dual enrollment credit through the Northshore Technical Community College. Students completing the scaffolding training course may be eligible for immediate employment with Apache Industrial Services.
For more information, contact Brandi Desselle at 225-686-7044 or brandi.desselle@lpsb.org.
FOUR SCHOOLS HONORED FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE IN EARLY EDUCATION
Four Livingston Parish elementary schools – Eastside Elementary, Freshwater Elementary, Northside Elementary, and Seventh Ward Elementary – have earned a spot on the state’s “Honor Roll” as a result of high performances during the 2018-2019 school year in their early childhood programs, according to a report released by the Louisiana Department of Education.
This is the second year in a row for the early childhood classes at Eastside Elementary and Northside Elementary to receive this honor. According to the released scores, Northside Elementary earned the third-highest score in the state among all Pre-K sites evaluated.
These schools were recognized in the “Excellence” category, which is the state’s highest possible rating on the school’s annual performance evaluation. Only 113 schools statewide earned this top rating, according to the state report.
Representing Seventh Ward Elementary, left to right, are paraprofessional Mandi Brown, teacher Tammi Fielding, and paraprofessional Samantha Soileau.
Representing Eastside Elementary, left to right, are paraprofessional Donna Foster, teacher Dana Baier, and paraprofessional Angela Brand
Representing Freshwater Elementary, left to right, are paraprofessional Monica Nelson, teacher Meghan Yerby, and paraprofessional Jennifer Stanley.
Representing Northside Elementary, left to right, are teachers Kellie Bridgers and Elizabeth Jordan.