DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / August 9, 2000

LUTCHER – The Making the Connection program of the St. James ParishSchool System receives $25,000 from the state and federal government. Ata time where funding from the state is not easy to obtain, The Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Program (LaSIP) saw a great deal of promise in the Making the Connection program. St. James is one of only four schooldistricts in the state to receive the LaSIP grant.

“This concept with connecting schools into the community, this is what we really want to happen,” said Dr. James Barr, professor of college educationat Nicholls State University. Barr worked on the original proposition with theLouisiana Board of Regents to get the LaSIP program funded by the National Science Foundation. LaSIP has been helping the state by exercising leadershipin promoting comprehensive, standards-based, mathematics, science and technology reforms in K-16 education. Where LaSIP has been involved in aschool district, student achievement has considerably increased resulting the LaSIP students outscoring their peers on state standardized tests each year 1993-99.

“The classroom of tomorrow has no walls. Television, the internet and othertechnology have already breached the classroom walls,” said Barr. TheMaking the Connection program takes students outside of the classroom to relate their standard studies to the applicable world. “Real world” field tripsallow students to visit industry and local business, like Evergreen Plantation, St. James Bank, Motiva, St. James Hospital and American Iron Reduction.They look into the world of their parents and elders and see exactly how their science studies are used in our thriving technological society.

Last year the Making the Connection program was tested and deemed successful by both the school system and the businesses who worked with them. After receiving the LaSIP funding for teacher stipends andtransportation, participating teachers, school administration, industry representatives and Dr. Barr gathered Monday to review the focus of theprogram and prepare to make it better in the coming year.

Presentation were given by last year’s teachers regarding their perceptions of the program, guide to assessment, where they are today, and overviews of the program from start to finish.

For the next few days the teacher returned to work on the project. Theyhave already mapped out the successes of the program, as well as aspects that need work. “We’re going into more depth with the lessons,” said ElvisCavalier, director of student programs. They’re also working hard to improvetest assessment to give them a better idea on what to improve, he added.

Shawn Oubre, LaSIP site coordinator, will be observing the teachers, as required by the LaSIP grant. Being one of the teachers last year that wasinvolved in the program, Oubre is excited about the coming school year. Inthe following days the teachers will help design the pre and post tests, develop the curriculum, pick the field trips and coordinate the lesson plans with the trips, said Oubre. With the teachers’ input, especially those whoparticipated last year, the program should improve greatly.

“St. James is a very unique school system. It’s really important for schoolsto constantly improve their relations with the community,” said Barr. TheMaking the Connection program does just that.

“This program helps the kids develop a goal in life and to see the community as an extension of their education,” Barr added. “The parents should beproud that their kids will have such a connection with their community.”

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