By Patricia Morris
Would not it be great to see a student from Tangipahoa Parish receive scholarships that ranged from $16,000 to $100,000 to attend prestigious institutions of higher learning. It can be done, but we must work together to see this accomplishment achieved.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to mentor two students from Hammond. One student had been put out of school, and attended the Option III Program, while the other student is yet enrolled in this program. One of the students left in the early morning hours today to join the Job Corp. This student's goal is to get a GED, and to take ACT-Prep Courses to be able to enter college. The destiny of this child is great, and it is believed the life experiences received in this school system will give the student the initiative needed to not want a life of failure, and to strive to get what she could not get while a student in the TPSS. In addition, students should realize their achievements rest on their ability to take responsibility for their actions that many times got them to the position they find themselves in, but encouragement does have its rewards, because the two students mentored yesterday see their mistakes, and is willing to do what is positive to reach their life goals. Our prayers are with these students. Our faith is they will accomplish and go far, positively in life, setting a positive life that others will want to emulate.
Another student will continue to strive, and make the contacts provided to accomplish what is needed to enter college, once their GED is received. Sometimes, a little encouragement is all that is needed to assist a child in their being prepared to achieve their goals in life. Sometimes life's obstacles will get in the way of accomplishment, but God always sends someone along to encourage us to keep going to reach the finish line in life.
Shared now, and taken from the Actionnews Website are links and numbers showing what the average ACT Test Score is for the seven high schools in Tangipahoa Parish, as well as information on ACT Data.
Average ACT Score for Tangipahoa is 19.7
TOPS Tuition Opportunity Program for Students
Cumulative Score of 2.5
Complete specified college preparation curriculum
Scores the state average (not less than 20.0) on ACT
With 20.0 being the benchmark, what are the chances of students in this parish getting a TOPS scholarship.
Average ACT scores per high school http://www.louisianaschools.net/lde.../14651.pdf
http://www.louisianaschools.net/lde.../13439.xls
Amite 17.3
Hammond 19.6
Independence 17.8
Kentwood 16.0
Loranger 20.1
Ponchatoula 21.2
Sumner 18.9
First Time Freshmen 2007-08 http://www.louisianaschools.net/lde.../14121.pdf
436 http://www.louisianaschools.net/lde.../14460.pdf
Non Developmental/Remedial 335 76.8
Developmental/Remedial 101 23.2
Southeastern Louisiana University Requirements
ACT Composite score of at least 21.0
High School rank in the top 25% of Graduation Class
Cumulative GPA 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
ACT http://www.act.org/news/data/09/pdf...al2009.pdf
The average composite score was a 21.1 in 2009 . Of 2009 test-takers, 668,165 (or 45%) were males, 808,097 (or 55%) were females, and 4,207 (or 0%) did not report a gender. Nationwide, 638 students who reported that they would graduate in 2009 received the highest ACT composite score of 36.