Jefferson Davis Parish educators returned to the classrooms Friday ready to face a wave of challenges brought on by the new school year and changes in the state education program. (Doris Maricle / American Press)
Classes begin in Jefferson Davis Parish
Last Modified: Sunday, August 12, 2012 7:39 PM
By Doris Maricle / American Press
JENNINGS — Jefferson Davis Parish educators returned to the classrooms Friday ready to face a wave of challenges brought on by the new school year and changes in the state education program.
“Our teachers are facing a lot of changes,” Superintendent David Clayton said. “They have stress and they have concerns about the fairness of the process, but they are prepared to work their way through the best they can.”
It would have been better if the state had waited until next year to implement the changes under the new Common Core Curriculum and Assessment program, he said.
“I think we would have been much better served and more prepared with more training if we had waited to get started next year,” he said.
Among this year’s changes:
New principals are in place at Welsh, Elton and Lake Arthur high schools and at Lake Arthur Elementary.
Juniors are required to take the ACT test, which measures college readiness. An ACT prep test will be given to students in grades 8-10.
Schools in Jennings will focus on increasing skill development among students as part of a $1.5 million literacy grant.
Overall, Clayton reported a good first day of school. “Everything seems to be going along,” he said. Only a few minor problems were reported with school buses and routes, he said.
Enrollment figures will not be available until next week, after all students have reported, he said. The numbers are expected to be up slightly based on pre-enrollment activity, he said. An additional bus route was added to the Lacassine school district.
Last year’s enrollment was 5,847.
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