Court filings concerning LRSD's revised desegregation and education plan, districts' supplement to past and pending claims against the state defendants, and ODM report, ''1997-98 Enrollment and Racial Balance in the Pulaski County School Districts''

District Court, order; District Court, joint motion of Little Rock School District (LRSD) and Joshua for approval of Little Rock School District's (LRSD's) revised desegregation and education plan; District Court, memorandum brief in support of joint motion of Little Rock School District (LRSD) and Joshua for approval of Little Rock School District's (LRSD's) revised desegregation and education plan; District Court, two orders; District Court, districts' supplement to past and pending claims against the state defendants; District Court, addendum to districts' supplement to past and pending claims against the state defendants; District Court, order; District Court, memorandum opinion and order; District Court, notice of filing, Office of Desegregation Monitoring report, ''1997-98 Enrollment and Racial Balance in the Pulaski County School Districts''; District Court, notice of filing, Arkansas Department of Education project management tool The transcript for this item was created using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and may contain some errors. IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT, * Plaintiff, * vs. * No. LR-C-82-866 * * FILED EA U.S. DISTRICT COURT STERN DISTRICT ARKANSAS JAN I 2 1998 PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1, et al., * RECEIVED Defendants, * * MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, et al. , * J.i\i I } 3 1998 Intervenors, * * OFFICE OF KATHERINE KNIGHT, et al., * DESES.REGATICN MONITORlrJG Intervenors. * ORDER Before the Court is a motion filed by the Pulaski County Special School District - ("PCSSD") requesting that this Court grant summary judgment on the issue of the state funding formula. 1 The Arkansas Department of Education (" ADE") has responded to the PCSSD's motion.2 After carefully considering the motion and the response, this Court denies the PCSSD's motion for summary judgment on the issue of the state funding formula. Summary judgment is appropriate when "the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the. affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material- fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). This Court concludes that there are genuine issues of material fact in dispute regarding the state funding formula. 1 Docket No. 3042. 2 Docket No. 3051. 104 Previously, this Court entered Orders granting summary judgment on the issue of state funding for teacher retirement matching contributions, 3 granting summary judgment on the issue of health insurance, and denying summary judgment as to special education and loss funding. 4 Currently, several of these issues are on appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Eighth Circuit has yet to rule, and therefore, these issues remain unresolved. These unresolved issues relate to the issues raised by the PCSSD in its current motion for summary judgment pending before this Court. Furthermore, although not of record in this case, recent newspaper reports indicate that certain aspects of the funding formula are still being litigated in Arkansas state court. See Cynthia Howell, Lawyers Seek to Delay Trial in School Funding Suit, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Jan. 8, 1998, at 2B. Because there are genuine issues of material fact in dispute regarding the state funding formula, this Court denies the PCSSD's current motion for summary judgment. IT IS SO ORDERED THIS ff\._day of January 1998. 3 Docket No. 2930. 4 Docket No. 2968. ~ ~,4t.1 UNITED STA ~ISTRICTJ GE fHfS DOCUMENT ENTERED ON DOCk:ET SHEET IN COUPUANCE ~ RULE 5e ANOOA 7'9(8) FACP ON 1//t;;. ~ . IV l/l1 :_ 2 MICHAEL E. GANS - Clerk of Court UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT U.S. COURT & CUSTOM HOUSE 1114 MARKET STREET ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63101 January 16, 1998 VOICE (314) 539-3600 ABBS (BOO) 652-8671 Is. wustt.edu/Sth.cir RECEIVED Mr. Jim McCormack Clerk U.S. DIS1RICT COURT, EASTERN ARKANSAS Room 402 600 W. Capitol Avenue Little Rock, AR 72201-3325 JAN 2 1 1998 OFFICE OF DESEGREGATION MONITORINQ Re : 96-2047EALR L.R. School Dist. vs. Servicemaster Manag. Dear Clerk: The mandate of this Court is enclosed together with a receipt. Will the clerk of the district court please sign, date and return the receipt to this office. w~~~rt.~ Michael E. Gans Clerk of Court led Enclosure( s) District Court Clerk-Re : Files _x_Enclosed please find : 1 vol. 1R {J)a-J.nor- ~~e_J\ 'Wt/!(J,,:m,Jj;) ( LETIER FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY) cc: Christopher John Heller Joseph Steven Mowery John C. Everett Samuel Arnold Perroni William Henry Trice III Richard Wilson Roachell John W. Walker Robert Pressman Norman J . Chachkin Philip K. Lyon M. Samuel Jones III Nelwyn Leone Davis Tim C. Humphries Office of Desegregation Monitor Horace Alvin Walker Perlesta Arthur Hollingsworth Kenneth G. Torrence Otis Henr y Storey District Court/Agency Case Number(s) : 82-CV -866 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT ~Q~t l~Ti:llCT cfJRT EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS 1 111 ~ D,S I RI T Ar- '\, N~<lS WESTERN DIVISION JAN 2 1 1998 LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT J,%1~S WM CORMACK, Cl r:-r:i:< B;:: PLAmTIFF O::? C~~ .~ v. LR-C-82-866 RECEIVED PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1, ET AL JAN 2 3 1998 DEFENDANTS MRS. LORENE JOSHUA, ET AL INTERVENORS OFFICE Of KATHERINE KNIGHT, ET AL DESEGREGATION MONITORING INTERVENORS JOINT MOTION OF LRSD AND JOSHUA FOR APPROVAL OF LRSD'S REVISED DESEGREGATION AND EDUCATION PLAN Plainti.,ff Little Rock School District ("LRSD") and the Joshua Intervenors ("Joshua") for their Joint Motion For Approval_ of - LRSD's Revised Desegregation and Education Plan state: 1. Joshua and LRSD move for tentative and, ultimately, fina l approval of LRSD's Revised Desegregation and Education Plan dated January 16, 1998 (attached hereto as Exhibit A). 2. On September 26, 1997, LRSD submitted and requested approval of LRSD's Revised Desegregation and Education Plan dated September 18, 1997. Following submission, LRSD and Joshua engaged in extensive negotiations in an effort to develop a revised plan which both parties could support. Those negotiations resulted in LRSD's Revised Desegregation and Education Plan dated January 16, 1998 ("January 16 Revised Plan"). On that date, counsel for Joshua confirmed in writing Joshua's agreement to support approval of the January 16 Revised Plan. See Exhibit B. Also on that same date, the LRSD Board of Directors approved the Janua~y 16 Revised Plan and authorized submission of the plan to this Court for approval. 3. LRSD and Joshua stipulate to the following facts in support of this Motion: a. that the record in this case supports modification of LRSD's desegregation obligations; b. that the January 16 Revised Plan is an appropriate modification of LRSD's desegregation obligations; c. that the January 16 Revised Plan is constitutional, workable and fair to Joshua class members; and, d. that, if LRSD substantially complies with its obligations under the January 16 Revised Plan during its term and implements in good faith the programs, policies and procedures related thereto, LRSD will be unitary with regard to all aspects of school operations at the end of the 2000-01 school year. 4. As a part of the compromise and settlement between LRSD and Joshua, Joshua has agreed that they will request that the Court of Appeals for the Eighth circuit hold their two pending appeals in abeyance, and LRSD and Joshua have further agreed that they will attempt to resolve Joshua's past, present and future claims for attorneys' fees and costs by mediation. 5. LRSD and Joshua recognize that their compromise and settlement cannot be approved by this Court without notice to Joshua class members. ~ Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(e). Accordingly, LRSD and Joshua propose dissemination of the notice attached hereto as Exhibit c. This notice shall be published no less than thirty (30) days before a deadline established by this Court for Joshua 2 class members to submit written objections to approval of the January 16 Revised Plan. LRSD shall bear all costs associated with publication of the notice. LRSD shall cause the notice to be published in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; shall print and distribute copies of the notice to teachers; shall prominently post the notice at all. school; and shall cause the notice to be broadcast over the cable television channel controlled by LRSD. 6. In light of their agreement, LRSD and Joshua respectfully request that the hearing currently scheduled for the week of February 2, 1998 be cancelled. 7. LRSD and Joshua have prepared for the Court's consideration an Order (attached hereto) granting the relief sought in this Motion. WHEREFORE, LRSD and Joshua pray that this Court tentatively approve LRSD's Revised Desegregation and Education Plan dated January 16, 1997, pending the filing of objections filed by Joshua class members; that the notice attached hereto as Exhibit c be published at least thirty (30) days the deadline for Joshua class members to submit written objections; that the hearing currently scheduled for the week of February 2, 1998 be cancelled; and that this Court . finally approve LRSD's Revised Desegregation and Education Plan dated January 16, 1997 upon consideration of any objections filed by Joshua class members. Respectfully submitted, LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT THE JOSHUA INTERVENORS 3 FRIDAY, ELDREDGE, CLARK First Commercial Bldg., Suite 2000 400 West Capitol Little Rock, AR 72201-3493 (501) 376-2011 BY: John W. Walker, P.A. 1723 s. Broadway Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 374-3758 BY: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that a copy of the foregoing has been served on the following pe?jes~ depositing a copy of same in the United states mail on this day of January, 1998. Mr. Sam Jones Wright, Lindsey & Jennings 2200 Worthen Bank Bldg. 200 West Capitol Little Rock, AR 72201 Mr. Steve Jones JACK, LYON & JONES, P.A. 425 w. Capitol, Suite 3400 Little Rock, AR 72201-3472 Mr. Richard Roachell Mr. Travis Creed Roachell Law Firm First Federal Plaza 401 West Capitol, Suite 504 Little Rock, AR 72201 Ms. Ann Brown - HAND DELIVERED Desegregation Monitor Heritage West Bldg., Suite 510 201 East Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72201 Mr. Timothy G. Gauger Office of the Attorney 323 Center Street 200 Tower Building Little Rock, AR 72201 General 4 SBC'l'IOII 1: Little Rock . School District Revised Desegregation and Education Plan January 16, 1998 Prior Agreements and Orders. 1.1. This Revised Desegregation and Education Plan ("Revised Plan") shall supersede and extinguish all prior agreements and orders in Little Rock School District v. Pulaski County Special School District, U.S.D.C. No. LR-C-82-866, and all consolidated cases related to the desegregation of the Little Rock School District ("LRSD") with the following exceptions: a. The Pulaski County School Desegregation Case Settlement Agreement as revised on September 2 8 , 1989 ("Settlement Agreement"); b. The Magnet School Stipulation dated February 27, 1987; c. Order dated September 3, 1986, pertaining to the Magnet Review Committee; d. The M-to-M Stipulation dated August 26, 1986; and, e. Orders of the district court and court of appeals interpreting or enforcing sections a. through d. above to the extent not inconsistent with this Revised Plan. 1. 2. This Revised Plan does not affect the Joshua Intervenors' ("Joshua's") right to enforce the Interdistrict Desegregation Plan with respect to the Pulaski County Special School District ("PCSSD") and the North Little ' Rock School District ("NLRSD"). 1.3. Although this Revised Plan supersedes the Interdistrict Desegregation Plan, LRSD expects to continue to work cooperatively with PCSSD and NLRSD in the areas addressed by the Interdistrict Desegregation Plan. "i' EXHIBIT I A SBCTXOH 2: Obligations. 2.1. LRSD shall in good faith exercise its best efforts to comply with the Constitution, to remedy the effects of past discrimination by LRSD against African-American students, to ensure , that no person is discriminated against on the basis of race, color or ethnicity in the operation of LRSD and to provide an equal educational opportunity for all students attending LRSD schools. 2.1.1. LRSD shall retain a desegregation and/or education expert approved by Joshua to work with LRSD in the development of the programs, policies and procedures to be implemented in accordance with this Revised Plan and to assist LRSD in devising remedies to problems concerning desegregation or racial discrimination which adversely affect African-American students. 2. 2. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/ or procedures designed to ensure that LRSD hires, assigns, utilizes and promotes qualified African-Americans in ' a fair and equitable manner. 2.2.1. LRSD shall maintain in place its current policies and practices relating to the recruitment of AfricanAmerican teachers which have allowed LRSD to maintain a teaching staff which is approximately one-third African-American. 2.2.2. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/or procedures designed to increase the number of African-American media specialists, guidance counselors, early childhood teachers, primary grade teachers and secondary core subject teachers, including offering incentives for African-American teachers to obtain certification in these areas, and to assign those teachers 2 to the LRSD schools where the greatest disparity exists. 2,2.3. LRSD shall establish a uniform salary schedule for all positions within the district, including a salary range for director and associate and assistant superintendent positions, designed to provide compensation in accordance with qualifications and to minimize complaints of favoritism. 2.2.4. LRSD shall implement a policy for the centralized hiring and assignment of teachers by the LRSD Human Resources Department designed to provide an equitable distribution of teaching resources and to prevent nepotism and preselection by a school principal. 2.2.s. LRSD shall implement a policy of promotion from within which shall include procedures for notifying district employees of open positions. 2.2.6. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/or procedures designed to ensure that the teaching staffs at all LRSD schools are substantially similar with regard to average years of experience and percentage of teachers with advanced degrees. 2.2.7. LRSD sha,l l negotiate with the Knight Intervenors to establish a procedure for the mandatory reassignment of teachers as necessary to enable LRSD to meet its obligations under Section 2.2 of this Revised Plan. 2.3. LRSD shall implement student assignment programs, policies and/or procedures designed to ensure the desegregation of LRSD schools to the extent practicable, including but not limited to Sections 3 and 4 of this Revised Plan. 3 2. 4. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/or procedures designed to ensure that there is no racial discrimination in the referral and placement of students in special education or in other programs designed to meet special student needs. 2. 5. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/ or procedures designed to ensure that there is no racial discrimination with regard to student discipline. 2.5.1. LRSD shall strictly adhere to the policies set forth in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook to ensure that all students are disciplined in a fair and equitable manner. 2.5.2. LRSD shall purge students' discipline records after the fifth grade and eighth grade of all offenses, except weapons offenses, arson and robbery, unless LRSD finds that to do so would not be in the best interest of the student. 2.5.3. LRSD shall establish the position of "ombudsman" the job description for which shall include the following responsibilities: ensuring that students are aware of their rights pursuant to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, acting as an advocate on behalf of students involved in the discipline process, investigating parent and student complaints of race-based mistreatment and attempting to achieve equitable solutions. 2.5.4. LRSD shall work with students and their parents to develop behavior modification plans for students who exhibit frequent misbehavior. 2. 6. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/ or procedures 4 . I designed to promote participation and to ensure that there are no barriers to participation by qualified African-Americans in extracurricular activities, advanced placement courses, honors and enriched courses and the gifted and talented program. 2.6.1. LRSD shall implement a training program during each of the next three years designed to assist teachers and counselors in identifying and encouraging African-American students to participate in honors and enriched courses and advanced placement courses. 2.6.2. LRSD shall implement programs to assist African-American students in being successful in honors and enriched courses and advanced placement courses. LRSD shall provide transportation to students otherwise eligible for transportation to school to allow those students to participate in after-school activities required for participation in an extra-curricular activity. 2. 7. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/ or procedures designed to improve and remediate the academic achievement of African-American students, including but not limited to Section 5 of this Revised Plan. 2. 7.1. LRSD shall assess the academic programs implemented pursuant to Section 2.7 after each year in order to determine the effectiveness of the academic programs in improving African-American achievement. If this assessment reveals that a program has not and likely will not improve African-American achievement, LRSD shall take appropriate action in the form of ( - 5 either modifying how the program is implemented or replacing the program. 2. 8. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/ or procedures during each of the next three years designed to promote and encourage parental and community involvement and support in the operation of LRSD and the education of LRSD students. 2. 9. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/ or procedures designed to ensure an equitable allocation and/or reallocation of financial, technological and educational resources to LRSD schools. 2. 9. 1. Within 60 days of the district court's approval of this Revised Plan, LRSD, after consultation with Joshua, will develop a process or standard for assessing the equitable allocation of resources. 2.9.2. Within 180 days of the district court's approval of this Revised Plan, LRSD shall report by school the results of its assessment of the allocation of resources. 2.10. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/or procedures designed to ensure the equitable maintenance and repair of LRSD facilities. 2.11. LRSD shall implement programs, procedures designed to ensure that there discrimination in the services. provision of guidance policies and/or is no racial and counseling 2 .11. 1. Guidance counselors shall work with students in an effort to provide for more equity in academic honors, awards and scholarships. 6 2.12. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/or procedures designed to ensure that every LRSD school provides its students a learning environment free from discrimination. 2 .12. 1. LRSD shall implement a training program through the United States Department of Justice, the Arkansas Department of Education and/or the National Conference of Christians and Jews in prejudice reduction and cultural sensitivity. 2.12.2. LRSD shall implement policies and procedures for investigating the cause of racial disparities in programs and activities and developing remedies where appropriate. 2.13. LRSD shall implement programs, policies and/or procedures designed to ensure LRSD substantially complies with its obligations under this Revised Plan. 2.13.1 The LRSD Superintendent shall be responsible for overseeing LRSD's compliance with this Revised Plan in accordance Section 6. SECTION 3: Student Assignments. 3.1. Attendance Zones. While this Revised Plan does not require any sudden or drastic changes to the present student assignment plan, LRSD attendance zones may be redrawn in accordance with the following guidelines: 3.1.1. Satellite Zones. attendance zones where the impact LRSD may eliminate satellite would be to reduce the transportation burden on African-American students; 3. 1. 2. Neighborhood Schools. LRSD may assign students 7 to area1 elementary and junior high/middle schools based on reasonably compact and contiguous attendance zones drawn to create as many truly desegregated schools (from forty to sixty percent African-American) as reasonably practicable, except as provided in Section 3.1.3. below; 3.1.3. Exception. Where a reasonably compact and contiguous attendance zone will result in an elementary or junior high/middle school which is less than twenty percent AfricanAmerican, LRSD reserves the right to either: a. Draw the attendance zone at less than full capacity to allow for the voluntary transfer of African-American students to the school; or, b. Create one or more satellite attendance zones of primarily African-American students. If a satellite zone is established, it shall be of su'f ficient size to ensure substantial desegregation at the school. 3. 1.4. High Schools. LRSD may assign students to area high schools based on attendance zones drawn so that the percentage of African-American students at each high school shall be within plus or minus twenty percentage points from the percentage of African-American students for high schools as a whole and so that, to the extent practicable, a stable and predictable feeder pattern exists from LRSD junior high/middle schools. 3.2. Voluntary student Transfers. Beginning in the 1998-99 1The term "area" school shall refer to all LRSD schools except magnet and interdistrict schools. 8 school year, the following guidelines shall govern voluntary student transfers: 3.2.1. Desegregation Transfers. LRSD students whose race constitutes more than sixty percent of the population at their attendance zone school shall be permitted to transfer to another LRSD area school where their race constitutes le~s than forty percent of the student population subject to capacity limitations and to reasonable requirements established by LRSD; 3. 2. 2. Racial Isolation Transfer. LRSD students whose attendance zone school is a one race, African-American school (~ 90% African-American) shall be permitted to transfer to a racially balanced LRSD area school subject to capacity limitations and to reasonable requirements established by LRSD; 3.2.3. Magnet Program Transfer. LRSD students shall be permitted to transfer to another LRSD area school to participate in a designated magnet program subject to capacity limitations and to reasonable requirements established by LRSD; 3.2.4. Employees' ,Child Transfer. LRSD employees who reside in the LRSD may choose to have their children attend the same school or campus at which the employee works, not including Magnet schools, subject to capacity limitations and to reasonable requirements established by LRSD; 3. 2. 5. Special circumstances Transfer. Upon a showing of a special need arising out of circumstances unique to a particular student, a student may, at the sole discretion of LRSD, be permitted to transfer to another LRSD area school subject to 9 capacity limitations and to reasonable requirements established by LRSD; 3.2.6. outside students. LRSD schools shall be open to students who reside outside Pulaski County where the acceptance of the transfer will improve the racial balance of the district as a whole and of the school to which the student wishes to transfer and subject to capacity limitations and to reasonable requirements established by LRSD; and, 3.2.7. Transportation . LRSD shall provide transportation to voluntary transfer students with the following ,. exceptions: (i) employee's child transfers, (ii) special circumstances transfers, and (iii) transfers from outside Pulaski County. 3.3. Magnet Programs. The designated magnet programs at this time are the following: a. Rockefeller Early Childhood Program; b. King High Intensity Learning Program; c. Washington Math Science Program; d. Henderson Health Science Program; e. Dunbar International Studies/Gifted and Talented Program; ,. f. Central International Studies Program; and, g. McClellan Business Communications Program. LRSD reserves the right to modify or discontinue designated magnet programs and to establish new magnet programs. However, LRSD agrees that during the term of this Revised Plan it will not modify 10 or discontinue a magnet program which is successful. 3.4. Middle Schools. LR.SD shall establish a schedule for the orderly conversion of some or'all of its junior high schools to middle schools for grades six, seven and eight and move the ninth grade to high schools. As a part of this conversion, LRSD reserves the right to chan9e the grade level structure at all of its schools, including magnet schools. 3. 5. Ninth Grade Schools. Because of limited capacity at LRSD's high schools, it may be necessary as a part of the orderly conversion to middle schools to establish two or more schools composed entirely of ninth grade students. If so, LRSD shall assign students to the ninth grade schools based on attendance zones drawn so that the percentage of African-American students at each ninth grade school shall be within plus or minus ten percentage points from the district-wide percentage of ninth grade African-American students. 3.6. School Construction/Closing. LRSD shall construct at least two new area elementary schools, one in west Little Rock and one at the site of the former Stephens school. When the new Stephens Elementary opens, it shall receive additional funding as described in Section 5.5 of this Revised Plan and one or more of the schools identified in Section 5.5 will be closed. When a school identified in Section 5.5 is closed, LRSD shall exercise its best efforts to find a community or educational use for the property. Otherwise, LRSD sI+all not seek to close schools in African-American neighborhoods solely because of age or poor 11 maintenance except when a new school will be located in the same general area. 3.7. Modification Standard. During the term of this Revised Plan, LRSD shall not recommend modifications to attendance zones or grade level structure or the construction, enlargement or closing of a schools other than as provided in this Revised Plan unless: 3.7.1. Such action would further the goal of desegregating LRSD or eliminating the vestiges of discrimination to the extent practicable; or, past 3.7.2. The LRSD Board of Directors determines ( i) that the educational benefits expected from such action substantially outweigh any adverse effects of the proposed action, (ii) that no practical alternative to the proposed action exists which will accomplish the educational objective, and (iii) that to the extent practicable measures will be initiated to counteract any adverse affects of the proposed action. 3.8. Racial Balance. This Revised Plan recognizes that the ,. desegregation of LRSD to the extent practicable does not require that every LRSD school be racially balanced. Accordingly, nothing in this Revised Plan shall be construed as requiring a particular racial balance at every LRSD school or as obligating LRSD to recruit students to obtain a particular racial balance in every LRSD school. 3.9. Housing. LRSD and Joshua co:mmi t to promote housing desegregation within segregated neighborhoods. They pledge to work together and use their best efforts to dismantle, and prevent 12 recurrence of, segregated housing patterns. SBC'l'IO 4: Interdistrict schools. LRSD and PCSSD shall operate Interdistrict Schools in accordance with the following: 4.1. PCSSD Interdistrict Schools. PCSSD shall operate Baker Elementary, Clinton Elementary, Crystal Hill Elementary and any new elementary school constructed in Chenal Valley as Interdistrict Schools; 4. 2. LRSD Interdistrict Schools. LRSD shall operate King Elementary, Romine Elementary and Washington Elementary as Interdistrict Schools; 4. 3. Racial Composition. The ideal composition at interdistrict schools shall be as close to 50%-50% as possible with the majority race of the host district remaining the majority race at the Interdistrict School; 4.4. Reserved Seats. PCSSD shall reserve at least 200 seats at Clinton Elementary and up to 399 seats at Crystal Hill Elementary for interdistrict transfer students from LRSD; 4.5. Recruitment. LRSD and PCSSD agree to implement programs at Interdistrict Schools designed to attract interdistrict transfers and to work cooperatively to recruit interdistrict transfers to Interdistrict Schools; 4.6. Outside Students. Interdistrict Schools shall be open to students who reside outside Pulaski County where the acceptance of the transfer will assist the Interdistrict School in achieving its ideal racial composition; and, 13 4. 7. Transportation. Transportation shall be provided by the home district for interdistric, t transfers from Pulaski County to Interdistrict Schools. &BCTIOB s: student Achievement. 5.1. Early Childhood Education. LRSD shall implement an early childhood education program which shall include a HIPPY program and a four year-old program with no less than 720 seats. LRSD contemplates that the four yearold classes will remain at their present sites or in the same general location. 5.2. Reading/Language Arts. 5.2.1. Primary Grades. LRSD shall implement at least the following strategies to improve the academic achievement of students in kindergarten through the third grade: a. Establish as a goal2 that by the completion of the third grade all students will be reading independently and show understanding of words on a page; b. Focus teaching efforts on reading/language arts instruction by teaching science and social studies content through _ reading/language arts and mathematics experiences; c. Promote thematic instruction; 2The identification of specific goals in this Revised Plan is not intended to create an obligation that LRSD shall have fully met the goal by the end of the plan's term. LRSD's failure to obtain any of the goals of this Revised Plan will not be considered a failure to comply with the plan if LRSD followed the strategies described in the plan and the policies, practices and procedures developed in accordance with the plan. 14 d. Identify clear objectives for student mastery of all three reading cueing systems (phonics, semantics and syntax) and of knowing-how-to-learn skills; e. Monitor the appropriateness of teaching/learning materials to achieving curricular objectives and the availability of such materials in all classrooms; f. Establish uninterrupted blocks of time for reading/language arts and mathematics instruction; g. Monitor student performance using appropriate assessment devices; h. Provide parents/guardians with better information about their child's academic achievement in order to help facilitate the academic development of the students; i. Provide pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade learning readiness experiences for students who come to school without such experiences; j. Train teachers to manage successful learning for all students in diverse, mainstreamed classrooms; k. Use the third and/or fourth grade as a transition year from focused reading/language arts and mathematics instruction to a more traditional school day; and, 1. Provide opportunities for students to perform and display their academic training in a public setting. 5. 2. 2. Intermediate Grades. LRSD intends to implement at least the following strategies to improve the academic achievement of students in grades four through six: 15 ,. ,. a. Adopt as a goal that by completion of the sixth grade all students will master and use daily higher level reading comprehension skills for learning in all subject areas, for making meaning in real life experiences and for personal growth and enjoyment; b. Promote thematic instruction; c. Establish uninterrupted blocks of time for reading/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies instruction; d. Monitor the appropriateness of teaching/learning materials to achieving curricular objectives and the availability of such materials in all classrooms; e. Monitor student performance using appropriate assessment devices; f. Provide parents/guardians with better information about their child's academic achievement in order to help facilitate the academic development of the students; g. Train teachers to manage successful learning for all