After their retirement three years ago, Jimmy and Joan Barrentine started volunteering in the English Language Learner program at Northside Elementary School in Clinton.
The school’s international students come from a diverse range of countries including India, Yemen, China, Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Japan and Mexico. Many of these students start school not knowing one word of English.
The Literacy-Based Promotion Act requires English Language Learners who have received two years of instruction to pass the 3rd Grade Reading Assessment in order to be promoted to 4th grade.
Northside Elementary serves more than 700 2nd and 3rd grade students. This spring, 98 percent of Northside’s 3rd graders passed the 3rd Grade Reading Assessment the first time.
Thanks to the Barrentines, Northside’s English Language Learners performed even better – with 100 percent achieving a passing score.
About the Mississippi School Spotlight Video Series
The Mississippi Department of Education produces a monthly video series called Mississippi School Spotlight that highlights the outstanding work of Mississippi teachers and schools. The videos show how high standards and expectations produce better student outcomes. If you have a story or topic you would like to be considered for a future spotlight video, contact us. View all Mississippi School Spotlight videos at www.YouTube.com/mdek12.