The Eight Top Reasons for Successful Alternative Programs Jefferson Davis Parish

Jeff Davis Parish Overview  Jeff Davis Parish is a rural blue collar community  Its 5,600 public school students attend 13 schools and one instruction campus  Jeff Davis ranks at the bottom half of the state in average income and % employment in 2006  It is among 12 Louisiana parishes with the highest alcohol and drug problem

The Good News  Jeff Davis students rank 6th in the state by District Performance Score.  Jeff Davis students ranked 1 st in 8 th grade persistence.  Statewide, our free and reduced students were ranked 4th in performance among at-risk students  The dropout rate among JD Students is 0.96%. (2nd to Caldwell Parish, 2006) resulting in at least 1.1 million extra MFP dollars when compared to the state average  Student employment among OPTION completers is 90% Note: 42% were special education students

The Top Eight Reasons for Successful Alternative Programs! 1. Board and Superintendent must grant real power or virtual authority to the organizer 2. Students and staff must be hand picked, no dumping allowed; all students must “interview” 3. Must create a “Administrivia” free management system for instruction and record keeping; no dependency on the referring schools/teachers 4. Teachers must have “virtual principal power” over students; Students “belong” to only one teacher

5. Long term placements only; no short term suspensions allowed 6. Layers of interventions must be immediately accessible for the most challenging students; court programs with no waiting time 7. Ridged Flexibility; must be able to “jump” placements if in a student’s best interest; programs must be malleable, dynamic, to meet the changing needs 8. The philosophy and mission is continually discussed and reinforced among the staff The Top Eight Reasons for Successful Alternative Programs!

Summary Good alternative programs do not require new buildings, expensive materials, or excessive staffing. In fact they pay for themselves. Good alternative programs are not bricks and books, but are empowered people who understand their mission and can carry it through. It is a philosophy not a program.

Visitors are welcome Contact Information: Jeff Davis Parish School Board Bob Daigle Harry Kyle or Jennings LA