For Immediate Release
Contact: Sheila McCant
LA House of Representatives
Office of Public Information
Phone: (225) 342-9795
FAX: (225) 219-4380
january 28, 1999
HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO MEET IN NORTHEAST LOUISIANA
The House Education Committee will visit five schools and a university library in northeast Louisiana as part of the ongoing Legislative Outreach Initiative (LOI).
The purpose of this LOI is to observe results of reading and math programs established and funded by the K-3 Reading and Mathematics Initiative. The committee will also visit an A+ Program high school to observe an alternative -school within a school- studies program offered to students having some difficulties in traditional school settings.
Chairman of the House Committee on Education Rep. Charles McDonald, D-Bastrop, said, "The outreach is an excellent opportunity to view firsthand the progress of the K-3 Reading and Mathematics Initiative and to see an outstanding alternative program in operation at Ouachita Parish High School."
Committee members will visit Rayville Elementary School in Richland Parish on Thursday, February 4, where they will hear presentations, observe class sessions and tour the facility.
At 2:00 p.m. the committee will visit Ouachita Parish High School in Monroe. That evening, the representatives will tour the Sandel Library at Northeast Louisiana University.
On Friday morning, February 5, the committee will visit Swartz Elementary School and Lakeshore Elementary School to tour and observe class sessions. In the afternoon, they will visit Jack Hayes Elementary School for similar exercises.
The Legislative Outreach Initiative is a program conceived by Speaker of the House H.B. "Hunt" Downer, Jr. It is designed to initiate contact between citizens of Louisiana and lawmakers. Downer said the program "is intended to better facilitate citizen participation in the Legislative process and give legislators a better understanding of the issues. Too many times legislators are forced to cast critical votes concerning areas with which they are not familiar. Also, our citizens are not always able to travel to Baton Rouge to participate in the legislative process. Hopefully, this program will address both problems."
###
EDITOR'S NOTE: A tour schedule follows. Any advanced notice you can provide to citizens in your area regarding the visits is appreciated.
Thursday, February 4, 1999
11:15 a.m. Rayville Elementary School
124 Learning Place Street
Rayville, LA 71269
2:00 p.m. Ouachita Parish High School
681 Highway 594
Monroe, LA 71203
5:00 p.m. Northeast Louisiana University
Tour of Sandel Library
Northeast Drive
Monroe, LA 71209
Friday, February 5, 1999
8:30 a.m. Swartz Elementary School
P.O. Box 8
Swartz, LA 71281
10:15 a.m. Lakeshore Elementary School
550 Balboa Street
Monroe, LA 71203
12:45 p.m. Jack Hayes Elementary School
22 Old Sterlington Road
Monroe, LA 71203