Louisiana High Schools Could Get a Makeover

Laura Lott is the mother of three and thinks high school educators could be stricter when it comes to certain issues. Governor Blanco`s High School Redesign Commission and the state`s top school board are trying to implement some changes. One would be to require most high school students to take a rigorous curriculum because of the growing view that most students need tougher classes even if they are going to be pursing a job instead of college. "A lot of them do play around with education, and maybe they should," explained Laura Lott. "People have seen there is a difference between the rigor of the career technical endorsement and the academic endorsement. The proposal is to bring those two in line," explained Roy Thomas, High School Director, Caddo Parish Schools. Thomas attended the Redesign Commission`s meeting in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and says chances have been discussed for the past year and many hope to see changes for the 2007-2008 school year. Another hot topic being discussed phasing out the graduation exit exam. "Some consideration is using end of the coarse tests, rather than the Graduation Exit Exam. That may be a more accurate indicator as to whether or not students really have mastered the skills and knowledge of that particular course," said Thomas. Lott feels very passionate about the exit exam; one of her daughters had to take summer school before she was allowed to graduate. "Some kids deserve to graduate and they couldn`t even march with their class. I don`t believe in that, that`s not good," said Lott.