District touts growth: Tangipahoa Parish schools report gains on state accountability measures

Tangipahoa Parishschool leaders presented a state accountability update Dec. 2 showing districtwide growth and outlining next steps on assessment and interventions.

"We are one of the top 10 growing school systems," Dr. Fussell told the board, highlighting that 74 schools recorded overall performance-score increases and that several schools achieved double-digit gains. She said pre-K programs earned a performance score of 5.73 compared with the state's 5.54 on a new statewide rubric used to evaluate pre-K quality.

District staff noted the accountability system is changing: the old system used a multi-year combination score and rewarded some extended-completion paths for students, while the new system emphasizes four-year graduations and different metrics. "On the new system, you gotta be in and out in 4 years," Fussell said, adding that the districts ACT strategy emphasizes practice tests, paid pre-ACT offerings and targeted boot camps funded in part by Title I.

Officials also said Woodland Park remains the only F-rated school under the current accountability system and that several campuses formerly labeled in intensive status have been reduced. The board discussed next steps including continuing professional development, maintaining a stable curriculum and sustaining supports that helped the gains.

What happened next: Board members congratulated teachers and staff and urged continued focus on areas needing improvement, notably ACT performance for juniors and seniors.

Clarifying details: District figures and school lists were presented by the superintendents office; reviewers noted that some numeric references in the meeting were informal and should be confirmed in the districts published accountability report for precise values and labels.