ALEXANDRIA, LA. Louisiana schools get report cards too. They came out today and many schools across the state and here in Cenla flunked. There were more A's than ever before, but more F's too. So what's it like in a school that's been told its failing. News Channel Five's Nolan Crane went to Alma Redwine Elementary to find out.
The tables were turned Monday, instead of students receiving a report card; every school in the state received one. It was good news for 160 schools who earned an "A, "but almost just as many, 157, got a "F".
"Although the rating says we are an "F" school, I must tell you that we are definitely not an "F" school," says Principal Deidra Anderson.
The teachers and principal at Alma Redwine Elementary School in Alexandria say although they were told by state superintendent john white that they are a failing school, they say they are making progress.
"We have had a twelve point gain from our test scores from last year and yes we are rated an "F" school but that does not mean that we are an "F" school," Tequila Guillory.
"I think that the teachers are very hard working, that we are doing what we need to do and I believe that the scores from the previous years are jumping and it's a matter of where we are going this year," says Cassandra Hamilton.
The grade a school receives is based on a formula where leap and I-leap test scores are combined with classroom attendance. A school needs more than 75 points to avoid being labeled as failing.
"When everything was averaged out we're at a 74.9. We are right there," says Principal Deidra Anderson
Teachers we spoke with parents play a big role in helping the school and their children improve.
"Keep communication open with the teachers, know what your student, your children are learning and do everything that you can," says Cassandra Hamilton.
"We can't do it by ourselves, it takes the students, the teachers, and the parents all working together and right now we are doing that at Redwine," says Principal Deidra Anderson.
Although this school is told it failed, the staff says they have a plan in place for progress.
