Northwest Indiana Discussion

Here are the highlights of this special meeting:

Mrs. Jones was absent.

A presentation was made by each individual Hammond school on school improvement. All of the schools presented their various plans to implement new strategies and programs to bring the grades, graduation rates, and test scores up.
Statistics were presented that showed a marked difference between White student scores, and Black and Latino scores. White students overall had higher ISTEP scores than the other demographic groups.
There also was disparity in the percentages in the free/reduced lunch groups, and those who paid full price for lunch.The group that paid full price for lunch scored substantially higher than those in the free/reduced meal category.

Calender:

The next school board meeting is Monday September 8, 2014 6pm 41 Williams Street.

My Take:

Poverty and racial/ethnic heritage are not valid excuses, IMO. Lafayette School has a high percentage of minority students, and close to 100% of these students are receiving free/reduced price lunch. Lafayette is the ONLY Hammond School that received an "A" from the State.