NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams School Board approved action plans Thursday for four schools at-risk of failing state evaluations. A principal or assistant principal from West Elementary, Morgantown Arts Academy, Morgantown Early College Leadership Academy and Natchez Freshman Academy reported on the plans that would be submitted to the Mississippi Department of Education.

Curriculum and Instruction Director Alice Morrison said in the past, the district has had to receive feedback from MDE, but this time around, she said administrators had everything in place to move the district forward.

“When we went to MDE, we had so much implemented that we basically already had what they wanted,” she said. “They could not give us much to do.”

West Elementary Principal Allison Jowers said goals for student outcomes include increasing the English language arts proficiency from 15.2 percent to 50.8 percent; increase math proficiency from 19.4 percent to 53 percent; and science proficiency from 30.3 percent to 66.2 percent.

Jowers said based on iReady practice performance, if the students can maintain those scores, she would be happy with the results.

Morrison said the same is true at the other elementary schools.

“Looking at the data, we are headed in the right direction,” Morrison said. “We are growing, I just pray when the test opens up in the computer, the students go forth and show us what they are doing now.”

Tawanna Thornton, Morgantown Arts principal, said goals are to increase the ELA proficiency from 3.5 percent to 30 percent; math proficiency from 10.5 percent to 30 percent; and science proficiency from 25.4 percent to 30 percent.

Thornton said iReady data shows growth, but proficiency may take more time to achieve.

College Prep Leadership Interim Principal Shamekia L. Isaac said the action plan includes increasing ELA proficiency from 14.3 percent to 30 percent; math proficiency from 13.4 percent to 30 percent; and science proficiency to 35 percent or above.

“I can say students are showing growth in iReady,” Isaac said.

Freshman academy assistant principal Michael Brown said the school would only be tested on biology this year.

Brown said as the school has a certified teacher with 10 years experience in the subject, he feels good about having a passing rate of 100 percent on the biology exam.

The leaders also spoke about decreasing discipline, improving parental involvement and teacher effectiveness.

School Board Secretary Thelma Newsome said she appreciated the information from the administrators.

“One thing I am always looking for when we talk about improving programs, policy or procedures, is how you will do it and what you expect the outcomes to be,” Newsome said. “Even though some schools have lofty goals, you addressed how you plan to achieve those goals.

“I sincerely hope, at the end of the year, when students are tested and we get the results back, that we will see great improvement in all of our schools.”