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LOUISE – A year of double doses of math and science helped Louise High School jump two levels in the state’s latest ratings.

The school of about 180 students went from unacceptable last school year to recognized this year, according to the Texas Education Agency’s ratings released earlier this month.

The high school struggled in the science portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test in 2007, with only 41 percent of students passing.

In 2008, the students had a double-digit increase to a 73 percent passing rate.

Also helping was the addition of a third teacher in the science department. The school has suffered high teacher turnover in the science department, said Andy Peters, Louise superintendent.

“The extra teacher in the class made for a better student-teacher ratio,” Diana Blumrick, Louise High School principal, said.

In addition to the high science scores, 100 percent of students taking the social studies portion of the test passed, Peters said.

“Our social studies, English and writing scores are consistently great,” he said.

Louise started after-school programs for math and science programs, and required students who failed the math and science portions of the test to take a double load of the courses they failed.

“They have after-school sessions for the students who have not passed the TAKS test or are having problems,” said Michelle Perez, mother of a high school student.

She was thrilled that the school has improved so much and that the teachers and students are working hard.

“The math and science departments doubled up classes for students that were struggling,” Peters said.

Students who failed the science or math portion of the TAKS test, had to take the required math or science classes on their degree plans and then a remediation course in the subjects they failed.

“I held conferences with the faculty, students and parents to inform them about how important each student is,” Blumrick said.

Because of the small size of the Class A school district, one or two students can keep a school unacceptable or make it recognized.

“Last year we were two kids short of being acceptable, and this year we blew the socks off the tests,” Peters said.

Through communication and teamwork from students, parents and faculty, the district was able to overcome being unacceptable, Blumrick said.

“We have made great strides, but we still have to maintain our rating and make it better,” Blumrick said.

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