For Immediate Release – February 27, 2009

Contact:  Delia A. Taylor, APR, Taylor Media Services, 225-931-0286 or taylormedia@bellsouth.net or Superintendent Bill Spear, 225-686-7044 or bill.spear@lpsb.org.

Option III Program Gives Students

a Second Chance at Success

            WALKER, La. – Students in Livingston Parish Public Schools who find themselves unable to stay on track for a high school diploma with their peers have an alternative that can help them achieve success.

            The school system offers Option III, a Pre-GED/Skills Option program that allows struggling students to pursue a Louisiana Equivalency Diploma and/or a Skills Certificate in business management or welding, giving them the necessary skills to seek employment in the local job market.

            “We recognize that students who are struggling with a regular education track can be very successful in the learning environment that we provide.  The students must work to achieve success, but the smaller classrooms and ‘real-world’ applicable coursework prove more beneficial to them,” said Option III Principal Lisa Kluka.

            Kluka said about 105 students are currently enrolled in the program, which is housed in the small classroom complex across Burgess Road from Walker Freshman School.

Students in the Option III Program have access to a full-time counselor who conducts group sessions in healthy living, social and life skills, anger management, grief and loss, parenting, and self esteem.

            “So many of our students are confronted with difficult situations at home, which have adversely affected how they behave in the classroom and perform on their academic assignments. We try to assist them with managing their personal issues, so they can better focus their efforts on being successful in their studies,” Kluka said.

            Kluka said students who participate in the Pre-GED/Skills Option Program must meet certain criteria.  They must live in Livingston Parish, be at least 16 years old and meet one or more of the following eligibility requirements:  1) have failed the English/Language Arts or Math portion of the 8^th grade LEAP for one or more years; 2) have failed the English/Language Arts, Math, Science or Social Studies portion of the GEE;  3) have participated in out-of-level testing or alternate assessment;  4) have earned not more than 5 Carnegie units by age 17, not more than 10 Carnegie units by age 18, or not more than 15 Carnegie units by age 19; and/or 5) be designated as students with limited English proficiency.

            Students who pursue the Option III welding curriculum can qualify to take the American Welding Society test to achieve the industry based certification as an “Entry Level Welder.”  Kluka said a recent graduate of the program was hired by a local welding fabricator and is now making more than $25-30 per hour.  The school has received more than 200 different AWS industry based welding certifications.

            Students who pursue the business management curriculum in Option III can acquire basic knowledge of the business environment, preparing them for various careers in office administration or administrative support, and giving them the essential skills needed to work productively with others.  Instructors concentrate on teaching basic skills in business technology, general business and Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Web Page, Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Access.

Additionally, the business management students participate in a Job Entrepreneurship Program during their certification process at Option III, giving them opportunities to demonstrate their proficiencies.  They may be given the responsibility of managing a concession stand or snack shop, a monogram/embroidery business, an auto detail/car wash business, or a school newspaper.

“For many of our students, our program represents a second chance at being successful, and they are taking full advantage of the opportunity.  We know that many of our students will go on to be very successful in the careers they have chosen,” Kluka said.