Parish schools rewarded thousands for 'Top Gains'
posted Thursday, February 7th, 2013 @ 12:05 pm

State Education Superintendent John White came to Ouachita Parish Wednesday bearing gifts.

White presented two checks totaling more than $310,000 to Ouachita Parish Superintendent Bob Webber to reward schools for student achievement and for encouraging inclusion for special needs students.

White gave a check for $150,000 to be divided among Richwood Middle School, Riser Middle School, and Ouachita Junior High School for their joint "Zap the Gap" program that aims to increase academic performance in English Language Arts and Math in students with disabilities. The money comes from the Department of Education's new "Believe and Improve" grant initiative. The $4 million initiative repurposed existing federal funding from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

White said the "Zap the Gap" grant application showed innovation by not thinking "within the box," and by proposing a Saturday academy for students with special needs. The grant will give those students and their parents better access to the curriculum and educational materials through interactive and integrative computer technology.
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