Monroe Schools Improve on all Fronts: Testing, Teaching, Finances
dr. james dupree, education, monroe city school system, school district, schools,
A positive energy pulses through the Monroe City School System, an energy that comes from implementation of a successful improvement plan.
“Monroe City continues to be a school district on the rise, on the brink of greatness,” says Dr. James Dupree, system superintendent. “During the last four years, the district has made major improvements in academics, fiscal responsibility and accountability for all.”
With an achievement-oriented curriculum in place across the 12 elementary, three junior high and three high schools, the system’s state ranking in accountability has significantly improved. That’s thanks in large part to an impressive student/teacher ratio of 15:1 at the elementary level and 20:1 at the secondary level.
“Our professional staff represents some of the best-trained professionals in the state who has been recognized for their efforts,” Dupree says. “Our comprehensive professional development plan has resulted in having 100 percent of our teachers certified.”
Successfully applying for more than $28 million in competitive grants over the past three years has assisted with that professional development, according to Teresa Foreman, the system’s public information officer.
“We partner with the city of Monroe, Louisiana Tech and the University of Louisiana at Monroe to provide content-driven workshops for our teachers in the areas of math, science and reading.”
Also contributing to the scholastic rise is the 21st Community Learning Centers program, which provides students with after-school, Saturday and extended-year tutoring programs in a structured environment, and then rewards students with special activities, including art, drama, dance, drum line and other fine arts programs.
Outstanding enrichment and enhanced education opportunities for the system’s 9,000 students also exist through dual enrollment programs, summer institutes at major universities and accelerated reader and math programs, much of which is funded through the Carmel-Hill Foundation.
“Through our many partnerships, students in Monroe have opportunities not found in most urban school districts,” Dupree says.
The system boasts of 21st-century classrooms offering the latest in technology, as well as online lesson plans and a parent command center to help keep students on track.
Story by Betsy Williams
Photo by Todd Bennett
