Louisiana Graduation Rates for 2007

On January 8, 2009 the Louisiana Department of Education released its cohort graduation rates for 2007. Indicated below are the rankings for our area. You may view the complete release together with attachments at http://www.doe.state.la.us/

1. Caddo Parish Magnet High School-96.4%
-State Goal for 2016----------------80%
2. C.E. Byrd------------------------76.9%
3. Captain Shreve------------------75.6%
4. Northwood----------------------71.2%
-State Average -----------65.9%
5. Southwood----------------------65.6%
-Caddo District Average------59.4%
6. Huntington----------------------57.4%
7. BTW----------------------------55.4%
8. North Caddo--------------------54.4%
9. Woodlawn----------------------47.7%
10.Green Oaks-------------------44.2%
11.Fair Park----------------------41.6%

Reunion News

• BTW class of 1979 looking for alums for a 30th reunion. A meeting will be held Jan. 12, 2009 6:00p.m. at the Shreve Memorial Library, Wallett Branch, 363 Hearne Ave. Call Karen Brown at 318-518-2991 for more information.
• BTW class of 1972 "Alive At 55" will hold a meeting Jan 11, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at 9839 Amblewood, Shreveport, (Deepwoods Subdivision)
• BTW class of 1968 is looking for alums for a 40th reunion. Call 318-631-0155 or 318-925-2346 for more information.
• BTW class of 1959 is looking for alums for a 50th year reunion to be held June 25-28. Call Daisy Jackson at 318-861-3782 or Maryann Chaptman at 318-868-5947 for more information.
• BTW class of 1964 is looking for alums for a reunion. Call 318-687-3814.

The Caddo Plan And Its Potential Impact on BTW Students

The Caddo Plan is now the working model purposed by the superintendent as an alternative to state takeover of the 11 schools identified as low performing. You may use the following link to view the plan document. Click here: http://www.caddo.k12.la.us/caddo%20plan.pdf

Of course, this plan does appear to have the support of the local school board. However, it must also receive state approval.

Alums and friends are encouraged to comment here regarding your feelings on this possible change.

Could a state takeover actually be more of a benefit to impacted Caddo students?

The state would apparently enjoy greater latitude in dealing with sticky personnel issues than would the district because of the local union. (Or so says the state superintendent)

Could state control finally solve the problem of a shortage of certified teachers in the involved schools?

Does The Caddo Plan appear to be just more of the same NCLB carrot and stick stuff that has not and is not working?

Does The Caddo Plan place any increased expectations for change on students and parents? What would the state do in this area?

Does The Caddo Plan provide for mental health and other related services? Would the state address the need for such services?

Can The Caddo Plan point out specific school districts in the United States that are using these tools and quantify their success?

This list is intended to provoke a conversation about student achievement and success. It should not be viewed as being either for or against state takeover.

BTW Class of 1979 Reunion Plans

The BTW Class of 1979 is making plans for their 30th. A planning meeting is scheduled for December 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wallette Memorial Library on Hearne Ave. For more information contact Karen Brown at 318-518-2991.

BTW PTSA Playbook for Academic Excellence

greatschools http://www.greatschools.net Public,Private and Charter

Left click on the image to enlarge. (adopted 08/05)

2008 School Performances Scores Released

On November 7, 2008 the Louisiana State Department of Education released individual school and district level scores. An article also appeared in The Times on November 8, 2008 regarding these results.

You may view the department's release and attachments by going to http://www.doe.state.la.us/

BTW alums and friends must stay up on these results as they relate to our school.

Today, we are providing a brief snapshot in this forum.

• The goal of this state's accountability system is for all schools to be at a score of 120 or higher by the year 2014.
• BTW has a 2008 Baseline SPS of 54.9 (remember the goal is 120 by 2014)
• BTW experienced growth of 3.1 although our growth target was 8.7
• BTW has a growth label of "Minimal Academic Growth"
• BTW has a performance label of "Academically Unacceptable" ( a minimum score of 60 is needed to avoid this label)

Our challenge as alums and friends of BTW is to direct our activities and energy toward helping the school achieve its vision of Academic Excellence.

Parents may want to refer to the PTSA Playbook for Academic Excellence for additional information and suggestions.

Meeting Highlights

The foundation met on November 17, 2008. Highlights include:

1. Dr. Curley White, Principal, provided the group an overview on and his impressions of the recently published district reorganization plans.
2. Ms. Deloris Lynch, API, provided an update on the ACT Testing Program.
3. The group voted to continue its financial support of the ACT Testing Program.

See the "Meetings " and "Major Financial Donations" Labels for additional information.

Thank you and hope to see more members at our next meeting helping us help our BTW.