April 22, 2008
Dear Parents:
Representative Jean- Paul Morrell was to present House Bill 398 to the Education Committee on Wednesday, April 23rd at the Capitol. House Bill 398 requires non-public schools that receive state funds to administer a high stakes test equal to LEAP. The bill in its entirety is attached and can also be found through the link http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=467085
Thanks to those of you who contacted members of the Education Committee and expressed your opposition. Earlier today, HB 398 was turned into a study request. The study will research the effects of the LEAP testing, and how it affects the public school curriculum. Education Committee members are asking that you contact them in the future with any questions or concerns that you may have.
Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans are in opposition to this bill for the following reasons:
· We utilize our own accountability system which contains 5 benchmarks
o Achievement tests
o Assessments (multiple)
o Attendance and Drop Out Rates
o Active parent participation
o Accounting system with regard to budgets
o High School:
o ACT: State Average is 20.1 ANO: 22.1
o Elementary:
o SAT: Above 65th percentile in every single grade
o We have 37 Blue Ribbon School Distinctions
o All Catholic High Schools are SACS accredited, and 25 Catholic Elementary Schools are SACS accredited. Many others are in process.
o All Schools are Brumfield –Dodd compliant and state approved.
o Our state pre-K program, at one point, was rated by an outside evaluator #1 in the country in achievement.
I encourage you to contact the members of the House Education Committee to voice your opposition to HB 398. Click(Control + left click) on each name to find the individual representative’s personal page and contact information..
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Thank you for your support of Catholic Education.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Begg
President