On October 7, 2010, the La Dept. of Education released the 2009-10 District Performance Scores (DPS) for each school district in the state and School Performance Scores (SPS) for each school in the state. Both scores are formulated by using scores from the LEAP, iLEAP, and GEE, as well as attendance, and graduation and dropout rates, but the DPS uses one year of data as if the district is one school.
Our DPS was 80.4; this was a 0.8 point decrease from the previous year (81.2). In 2007-08, our DPS was 82.3. Over the last three academic years, we have gone from a 82.3 to a 80.4. So now, Morehouse Parish is ranked 59th out of 69 school districts (not including the recovery school districts), which is in the bottom 15 percent. Based upon our DPS, we barely have a two star performance rating (a DPS range of 80.0 to 99.9).
*FYI: our district is only 20 points from being academically unacceptable and 60 point away from a five star rating (top performance label)*
As far as our individual schools are concerned, there are three schools that have an “academic watch” label (South Side, Cherry Ridge, & H.V. Adams); one school with a one star rating (Morehouse Jr. High/SPS 75.6); and four schools with two star ratings (Pine Grove, Oak Hill, Delta, & Bastrop High).
However, Beekman and Morehouse Magnet have a SPS greater than 100. Morehouse Magnet has a SPS of 129.2; and out of the more than 1,280 schools scored, Morehouse Magnet is ranked 30th in the state. Moreover, Morehouse Magnet is the only school in our district that has met Louisiana's 2014 target goal of all schools having a SPS greater than 120.
These stats are unacceptable to me. But, I guess the current Morehouse Parish School Board has no problem with our current trajectory. I say this because “who have they fired?” The superintendant still has his $124K-a-year job even though our district scores have declined every year…yes every year since his tenure began; AND by the way, this board extended his contract for 18 months by unanimous vote without including any specific performance objectives in the contract…ummmm…like requiring a yearly DPS growth rate between 5 and 7.5 so that the district could attempt to reach the 2014 goal.
None of our principals have been shown the door even though all, except for two, of them have been in their respective positions for at least the last five year. As far as I’m concerned, those 4 (four) principals are the only people in an academic-supervisory capacity that has any job security.
DPS/SPS Ranges
5 Star – above 140.0
4 Star – 139.9 to 120.0
3 Star – 119.9 to 100.0
2 Star – 99.9 to 80.0
1 Star – 79.9 to 60.0
Below 60.0 – academically unacceptable
