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College of Ed to help White Castle High improve student scores

 

Saying that Southern University “is excited about the opportunity to improve the academic future of students,” SU Chancellor James L. Llorens signed a partnership Monday with the Iberville Parish School System to start a College and Career Readiness program at White Castle High School.

 

The program includes a $100,000 first-year commitment from the Iberville Parish School System. Additionally, Gail Edwards, White Castle High Assistant Principal, has been appointed as the Southern University liaison.

 

Llorens, along with Dr. Luria Young, Interim Dean of the College of Education, made presentations at Monday’s board meeting to finalize the agreement, which was unanimously approved.

 

The program, which begins in the fall, will provide tutoring and academic support services to White Castle students to improve students ACT, PLAN, and EXPLORE scores and other criteria for eligibility to four-year colleges. There will also be mentoring and teacher professional development components.

 

Instructors from Southern’s College of Education and Science and Mathematics Education Doctoral Program will be working with teachers, students, and parents, Young explained. “We intend to significantly impact the academic and social integration of WCHS students into a culture of college and career readiness.”

 

White Castle students will also observe some class time and participate in activities at Southern’s Baton Rouge campus, along with a performance by Southern’s famous “Human Jukebox” marching band at White Castle High.  “We are excited about the opportunity to increase student engagement and motivation to pursue college and careers,” said White Castle High Principal Charley Handy, III.

 

The joint education effort is instituted in the name of Albertha Hasten, a beloved activist in her community, who died on Nov. 19, 2011. She served on the Iberville Parish School Board for 17 years, representing the White Castle area.  Hasten also served as the president of the Louisiana Environmental Justice Community Organization Coalition.

Llorens, Iberville Parish Superintendent of Schools Ed Cancienne, Iberville Parish School Board President Melvin Lodge signed the agreement Monday.