Technology Grant for Natchitoches Educators Now Accepting Applications
Apply Before December 8
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The A+ Coalition is proud to offer the opportunity to apply for the Technology in Education grant to all Natchitoches Parish educators. Up to $7,000 will be awarded to an educator for innovative technology used to advance learning and enhance the skills of students. The A+ Coalition will be accepting grant applications through December 8, 2019. Applicants must be currently employed by a Natchitoches Parish school, serving students in Pre-K through 12th grade in an educational setting. Any educator may apply, and the number of applications are not limited; however, all applications must be submitted through the school Principal. Upon receipt of applications, the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce staff and the A+ Coalition Committee members will conduct a thorough study of each application. The grant will be awarded in early January. To apply for the grant, visit
apluscoalition.com/grant.
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New Scores for 2018-2019 School Year
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Louisiana public schools and school systems are assigned A-F letter grades every year. The letter grades correspond to a scale of school performance scores, which are calculated using student performance metrics, including but not limited to students' state assessment scores.
By 2025, as outlined in the state's ESSA plan, the average A-rated school in Louisiana is one in which students are proficient in literacy and math skills, demonstrated by a score of Mastery or Advanced on state assessments. To ensure students are improving at a rate that will allow them to reach this goal, the state has developed a measurement tool that assigns each student a tailored growth target to meet each year and then tracks how their performance changes over time.
Schools earn an 'A' in the progress measure for students that demonstrate top growth by:
- showing improvement on ELA and math assessments that is on track to Mastery of key skills and content by 8th grade (elementary/middle school) or 10th grade (high school), and/or
- outperforming other similar students statewide, as measured by Louisiana's value-added model.
The student progress measure will attribute to 25 percent of an elementary or middle school's performance score and 12.5 percent of a high school's performance score. In addition to an overall school performance score and letter grade, schools will earn a letter grade equivalent for student achievement and progress on their annual report card.
This system of measurement was updated in 2018, which accounts for the slight drop in scores we see from 2017 to 2018.
The Natchitoches Parish overall school system grade is 73.7, a C. 57% of our students are in A or B schools. 74% of our students are in non-failing schools. Just over a quarter of our students are in failing schools. We have one less failing school than we did in 2017-2018. To learn more about each school, our school system, and the grading process, visit
louisianaschools.com.
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National Assessment of Education Progress Results
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The National Assessment of Education Progress, or NAEP, releases the results of its main test every two years, measuring the reading and math proficiency of students across the U.S. and individual states. You can find a brief summary of Louisiana’s 2019 NAEP outcomes
here. Highlights discussed in the summary include notably positive trends in short-term and long-term outcomes in our state, gains in which you and your teams can take tremendous pride.
In 2019, Louisiana ranked number one in the nation for improvement in 8th grade math, a longtime area of focus for school systems and the Department. The state improved on three of four NAEP tests and ranked high for its growth in each of the three areas.
Over the last decade, Louisiana’s rate of improvement on each NAEP assessment has significantly outpaced the nation. Our state ranks in the top ten among all states for improvement on each NAEP assessment over that decade.
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NPSB Seeks Applicants for Special Education Advisory Council
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The Natchitoches Parish School Board is accepting applications for membership on the newly created Special Education Advisory Council. The Natchitoches Special Education Advisory Council (Natchitoches SEAC) is an opportunity for parents, district staff, and community stakeholders to provide advice and feedback regarding special education policies, procedures, and resources. The members of Natchitoches SEAC shall engage in outreach activities in the community to increase the level of knowledge, support, and collaboration in regard to educating exceptional students.
Parents and community stakeholders are strongly encouraged to apply.
To apply, please pick up an application at the Natchitoches Parish School Board office, 310 Royal St., Natchitoches, or print off an application from the district website: www.npsb.la. All applications must be returned to Toni Bennett, Director of Exceptional Student Services, no later than November 30, 2019.
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NSU College of Education to Host Educators Rising
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NSU's College of Education is hosting the 2020 state conference for Educators Rising on February 19, 2020 at Northwestern State University. Educators Rising is a free national membership organization for aspiring teachers and their mentors. High school students who are leading or participating in a school-based program that helps them explore teaching in secondary or postsecondary schools are invited to attend. Educators Rising high school club members and high school students who want to become educators are attending the conference to connect with peers and experts around the state who are focusing on the same issues and challenges.
In the past, this conference has joined over one hundred future educators to NSU’s campus to learn about becoming an educator as well as participating in the Educators Rising competitions. "This year we are hoping to bring even more future teachers to our campus. Our goal is to have over 150 students. We are hoping you can help support our future teachers by donating $300-$500 to help host the conference expenses and t-shirts," Jessie Church, Clinical Instructor and Conference Chair.
The college is looking for conference sponsors. For more information on sponsoring this event, contact Jessie Church.
Contact
Jessie Church M.Ed.
Clinical Instructor
churchje@nsula.edu
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Local Students’ Work to be Featured on Reading Trail
The results are in for the Natchitoches Parish Library’s (NPL’s) Louisiana Symbols contest for Natchitoches Parish students! Submissions were open to all school-age children of the parish. Students were asked to submit an original artwork and poem about a Louisiana symbol of their choosing. From crawfish to magnolias, the Cajun accordion, or milk, participants had a wide range of options to share their appreciation for our state.
Winning pieces were selected by blind popular-vote and will be featured in the Reading Trail at Pierson and Mallett Park (behind the Fire Station on E. 5th in Natchitoches). The new panels are expected to be installed in November. The Reading Trail is a joint effort of the NPL, City of Natchitoches, and Cane River National Heritage Area.
17 students won in various categories.
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Raeleigh McKellar of NSU E-Lab won in the state bird category (brown pelican).
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Trinity Herndon of NCHS won in the state musical instrument category (Cajun accordion).
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Your Local Library Offers Year Round Activities, Free Homework Help, and More!
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Whether you need help with math homework, an English paper, finding a job or preparing for a test, HomeworkLouisiana can help! HomeworkLouisiana offers FREE online tutoring and academic resources from Tutor.com for Louisianans. Kindergarten
students through adult learners can get help in math, science, social studies or English from a live tutor. The service includes one-on-one, real-time assistance with your job search.
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FREE
School Tutoring @ NPL
Monday-Friday, 2PM-6PM
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Mathcounts Problem of the Week
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We recognize that the responsibility to advance education in Natchitoches Parish relies not just on our educators, but on the entire community at large. Join the movement that will advance education in Natchitoches, a cause that we believe may be the most important investment you will make in our community.
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Thanks to our Corporate Partners
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Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! The A+ Coalition is an initiative of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce that aims to bring our community together to help advance education in Natchitoches Parish. To learn more about the Chamber and its initiatives, click any of the images below.
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