Vernon Parish schools ranked seventh in the state
The Vernon Parish School District earned a solid “B” rating this year after the state implemented a new scoring formula for schools and districts.
According to district and school performance scores released this week by the Louisiana Department of Education, the Vernon Parish district ranks seventh in the state under the new formula. Based upon last year’s formula, the district received an “A” rating and ranks fifth in the state.
When looking at only public school systems in the state, Vernon ranks third falling just behind Ascension and West Feliciana districts. Only 2.3 points separates Vernon from Ascension.
“We are very proud of our student achievement in Vernon Parish Schools. We are also very excited about our improvements and growth,” Superintendent James Williams stated after the ratings were released.
The state made the change this year to adjust how districts and schools are evaluated to include a student growth score — and offered two sets of scores and grades to reflect the results under the old formula and the new.
Under the previous scoring system, Vernon Parish improved its district performance by 1.8 points.
Under the new scoring system Vernon received an “A” rating on four of the five indices, more than any of the higher-ranking districts.
Vernon Parish also received the second highest American College Testing index in the state.
Williams said the district’s improvement is “an ongoing process that our teachers, students, and administrators work very hard to achieve each day.”
In analyzing the scores, Williams said that “areas for improvement” have been identified at each grade level, and that action plans to make those improvements are already being implemented.
“We are committed to our children and to their needs to assure this opportunity for all students,” he stated.