Louisiana Department of Education

Toll-Free 1.877.453.2721


Region IV Education Service Center

Programs


Click here for a printer friendly version of this page  
Accountability

Accountability Regional coordinators provide local school districts with information, resources, and training relating to state and federal accountability requirements. Louisiana’s School and District Accountability System is intended to drive fundamental changes in classroom teaching by helping schools and communities focus on improved student achievement. The system is designed to encourage and support school improvement.

For more information contact:

Stephanie Funderburk
School Improvement Coordinator
stephanie.funderburk@la.gov
(337) 262-1224
(337) 262-5210 Fax

Penny Black
Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
penny.black@la.gov
337-262-5201
337-262-5210 Fax


Early Childhood Special Education

ESCE The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) funding enables the RESC to assist districts and schools with their early childhood programs, pre-k through 3rd Grade, for special population students. Coordinators provide technical assistance and training related to the location, identification, and programs for students who are disabled or suspected of being disabled in accordance with IDEA. The ECERS-R is used to monitor program implementation for this student population as well.

For more information contact:

Penny Black
Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
penny.black@la.gov
337-262-5201
337-262-5210 Fax


Ensuring Literacy for All (ELFA)

Regional Literacy Coordinators are available to mentor and support Ensuring Literacy for All schools and school-based coaches in carrying out their responsibilities. The goal is to scaffold and decrease support until the coach and the school are self-sustaining with an effective PreK-4 reading program.


For more information contact:

Sonya Mouille
Reading First Coordinator
sonya.mouille@la.gov
(337) 262-5287
(337) 262-5210 Fax

Penny Black
Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
penny.black@la.gov
337-262-5201
337-262-5210 Fax

Cheryl Mitchell
Special Education Coordinator
cheryl.mitchell@la.gov
337-262-1025
337-262-5210 Fax


High School Redesign

High School Redesign The regional high school redesign coordinator is available to assist districts and schools with planning and implementing high school redesign initiatives. The four current initiatives are 9th Grade Initiative, Louisiana Innovative High School Initiative, Credit Recovery Initiative, and High Schools that Work/Making Middle Grades Work. This assistance includes providing grant-writing support, assisting with implementation of grant activities, conducting professional development training, and presenting information on state High School Redesign activities to the public.

For more information contact:

Melissa Matthews
Director
melissa.matthews@la.gov
(337) 262-5208
(337) 262-5210 Fax


Reading First

Reading First The Reading First initiative focuses on closing the gap in reading achievement for all K-3 students in Louisiana schools. The initiative will strengthen the existing structure while aligning state policies, programs, pre-service, and in-service efforts.


For more information contact:

Sonya Mouille
Reading First Coordinator
sonya.mouille@la.gov
(337) 262-5287
(337) 262-5210 Fax


Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities

Safe & Drug Free RESC 4 provides technical assistance and in-service opportunities to schools and districts. Emphasis is placed on programs to prevent violence in and around schools, to prevent illegal use of alcohol and drugs, to involve parents and communities in the educational process, and to coordinate resources to foster a safe and drug-free environment that supports academic achievement

For more information contact:

Melissa Matthews
Director
melissa.matthews@la.gov
(337) 262-5208
(337) 262-5210 Fax


School Improvement

improvement School Improvement Coordinators are available to assist schools and districts in the School Improvement process as they collect and analyze data, develop a School Improvement Plan, and implement strategies to improve student achievement. Coordinators support both District Assistance Teams (DATs) and School Improvement Teams (SITs) throughout all phases of the improvement process. RESC personnel are available to assist schools and districts in the determination of and restrictions on the use of federal funds for school improvement. Coordinators also provide technical assistance and professional development in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

For more information contact:

Carla Trahan
School Improvement Coordinator
carla.trahan@la.gov
337-262-5175
337-262-5210 Fax

Stephanie Funderburk
School Improvement Coordinator
stephanie.funderburk@la.gov
(337) 262-1224
(337) 262-5210 Fax

Penny Black
Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
penny.black@la.gov
337-262-5201
337-262-5210 Fax


Special Education

SPED Federal funding helps provide free, appropriate, public education to those identified students, three through twenty-one years of age. RESC personnel assist schools and districts as they identify, locate, evaluate, and serve children suspected of being exceptional.







For more information contact:

Cheryl Mitchell
Special Education Coordinator
cheryl.mitchell@la.gov
337-262-1025
337-262-5210 Fax


Teacher Certification

Teach LA In response to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirement that schools have "highly qualified teachers," the Certification Counselor assists local school districts as they strive to increase the number of certified teachers. Certification Counselors have two primary responsibilities: (1) recruiting mid-career professionals and college graduates into the teaching profession; and (2) prescribing individual certification pathways to help teachers achieve certification.

For the convenience of potential new teachers, the Certification Counselor will be in the office on Fridays from 8:00a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to schedule appointments and conduct counseling over the phone.


For more information contact:

Lorraine Rubin
Certification Counselor
lorraine.rubin@la.gov
(337) 262-1744
(337) 262-5210 Fax


The No Child Left Behind Act

NCLB Regional coordinators provide information and resources concerning various aspects of implementation of "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) to local school districts' Title I and Federal Programs directors. Professional Development is provided to individual schools and school districts relating to the intent of this federal legislation designed to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards and state academic assessments. NCLB redefines the federal role in K-12 education by providing funding needed to help close the achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. NCLB is based on four basic principles: stronger accountability for results, increased flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents, and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work.

For more information contact:

Stephanie Funderburk
School Improvement Coordinator
stephanie.funderburk@la.gov
(337) 262-1224
(337) 262-5210 Fax