By MELISSA PEACOCK

Up, up – then down, down, down.

Accountability scores were released by the State Department of Education this week. School Performance Scores (SPS) were like the horses on a merry-go-round. Some schools showed slightly higher SPS. Some scores dipped down below last year’s SPS standing.

Parents dragging children from the doors of public schools down the street to private and parochial, stop! Louisiana’s public schools are performing below the national average, but they do not have to be.

St. James Parish schools performed well on the 2001-02 School Accountability Report Cards for Principals. Only one school in the parish failed to meet last year’s SPS. That school still rated in the 90s.

Ten other St. James schools increased their scores, some substantially. Sixth Ward Elementary School had the largest jump in SPS in the parish, increasing more than 13 points to score an 80.7 overall. St. James Junior High School increased its score more than 12 points. St. James High School had an 8-point jump.

Paulina Elementary School had the highest SPS in the parish, taking home a 102.9 on this year’s report card.

While St. John Parish had less luck than its neighbor, seeing decreasing scores in a number of schools, a few St. John Schools scored high grades. John L. Ory Magnet scored a 106 SPS, a six-point increase from last year’s score. LaPlace Elementary scored 93.8.

Scores over 79.9 indicate that the school is performing academically above the state average. Scores over 100 indicate that the school is a “School of Academic Achievement.”

These schools are succeeding, bringing standards up in the classroom and student scores up on standardized tests. Using their programs as a model, other schools can be successful as well.

What are successful schools doing right? Judy Ezidore, principal at Sixth Ward Elementary, St. James Parish, said personalized education, after school programs and involved parents is key.

At Sixth Ward Elementary, students are aware of what their scores have been on tests. Teachers and advisors work with students, helping them to identify strengths and weaknesses. Students choose three weaknesses that they would like to work on. Individual diagnostic plans are written to help individual students succeed.

But helping students does not stop after students leave the advisor/teacher’s office, nor does it stop after the last bell of the day rings. All third- and fourth-graders at the school are required to attend after-school tutoring sessions.

To get parents more involved, Ezidore puts quiz questions on the backs of calendars sent home to parents. Parents are encouraged to go over questions with their children. Students are later quizzed using the questions. Students that are successful on the quizzes are rewarded with prizes or an ice cream party. Parents receive certificates for their participation in the program.

Teri Noel, principal at John L. Ory, St. John Parish, said John L. Ory encourages parent involvement by hosting four different curriculum nights. Parents attend the curriculum nights with students. Each curriculum night focuses on one academic subject using activities, games and more. This year, John L. Ory’s curriculum nights included a geography night, a reading night, a math night and, in January, a science night.

Taking a “balanced approach to literacy” has also helped John L. Ory students achieve better test scores. The idea behind literacy programs at the school is to provide students with a wealth of practice so that students will be reading at the right grade level long before test time. Programs, like Accelerated Reader, are offered to help hone student skills in reading. The school won the Exemplary Reading Award two years ago.

LaPlace Elementary, like Sixth Ward in St. James Parish, offers an after school tutorial program. This program is designed specifically to prepare students for the LEAP exam. School principal Courtney Millet kicks off the program each year with special guests to encourage and entertain students. This year’s guests included Capt. Michael Tregre, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, Superintendent Michael Coburn and baseball star Mark Allen of the New Orleans Zephyrs.

Students at LaPlace Elementary who successfully pass LEAP tests will be rewarded with tickets to a Zephyrs home game. They will also be rewarded with a trip to the bowling alley or skating courtesy of Supt. Coburn.

These schools are proving that Louisiana schools and Louisiana students do not have to be left behind.

We have successful schools in our parishes. Most are successful because they know they can not become complacent. If things are not working the way they are, then it is time to make a change. It is time for innovative programs. It is time for excited and involved parents.

It is not hard to implement new programs in schools. They do require funding, whether from the school district, from grants or from fund-raisers. They often require volunteers.

But more than any other component, a successful school requires the support of the parents in homes, at PTO meetings, at parent/teacher meetings and, if you have the time, in the schools.

Parents are needed to pressure school officials and administrators when they become complacent. Parents are needed to lend support to experimental programs within schools.

When parents support education, it helps the schools to pursue higher academic standing. When parents ask students, “Where is your homework,” they are preparing students for academic achievement and higher test scores.

MELISSA PEACOCK is a staff reporter for L’Observateur.