Results - Thomas Gibbs Elementary School
School Facts
Racial distribution: Black, 92%; White, 5.7%; Native American, 1.4%
Economically disadvantaged students: 92.9%
Student/teacher ratio: 10:1
District
St. Mary Parish
Community Facts
Franklin, Louisiana (southern coastal town)
Rural (sugar cane farming)
Blue Collar
Situation
Under academic warning, Gibbs Elementary had slipped into the “choice” category, with parents able to choose whether to send their children to another school. Gibbs Elementary needed to raise achievement performance to acceptable levels.
JBHM Education Group Services
School Improvement Process (2006-2007 and 2007-2008)
Results
Before working with JBHM Education Group, Gibbs Elementary scored 54.6 on state accountability assessments. After one year with JBHM, Gibbs raised its score by 25.7 points – Louisiana's largest single-year gain for the 2007 accountability year; Gibbs repeated its gain in 2008, rising another 25.7 points.
Based on its effectiveness, JBHM Education Group was engaged to work in Hamilton Elementary and Franklin Junior High.
"District instructional leaders made the decision to listen to JBHM and to back them 100% JBHM brings schools the tools and methodology to make positive change. We actually don't need JBHM at Gibbs Elementary anymore because we know how to deliver effective classroom instruction. JBHM taught us how, and we are still using those practices. We have learned that we must be willing and find the courage to face the truth and do what must be done. The community is again believing that their children are being provided effective instruction."
