During Tuesday’s meeting, Picayune School District’s Board of Trustees heard about the successes of a computer program called iReady, which helps students struggling in the subjects of reading and math reach grade-level proficiency.

Assistant Federal Program/Curriculum Director Jill Smith presented the results of the program so far during Tuesday’s Board meeting. She said that every school utilizing the program since the beginning of the year has seen improvement. At Nicholson Elementary 79 percent of participating math students and 78 percent of participating reading students in the program are at or above grade level. At Roseland Park Elementary 79 percent of participating math students and 76 percent of participating reading students are at or above grade level. At South Side Lower Elementary, 89 percent of participating math students and 91 percent of participating reading students are at grade level. Within South Side Upper Elementary 74 percent of participating math and 69 percent of participating reading students are at or above grade level and at West Side Elementary, 81 percent of participating math and 83 percent of participating reading students had reached or exceeded their grade level, Smith said.

The only school showing less improvement was the Junior High School because the program started two months late. At that school, 45 percent of participating math and 31 percent of participating reading students had reached or exceeded their grade level.

Smith pointed out that these figures only relate to students participating in the program, not the school as a whole. Students are enrolled in the program if teachers notice they are struggling in those subject areas.

The program is based on Mississippi Assessment Testing, Curriculum Director Mary Williams said.

In a separate matter, the Board heard about the success of the After School Feeding program. Athletic Director Walt Esslinger said participation in the program appears to be growing. Assistant Superintendent Brent Harrell said the program is offered Monday through Thursday in the evenings and has been serving an average of 150 students each day.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Board approved a request for 35 students and six chaperones to travel to the North Shore Square Mall in Slidell on Dec. 5 to sing Christmas songs in the mall, said District Finance Director Lisa Persick.

The next Board meeting will be November 8 at 5:30 p.m.