McNeese and LCCP Partnership

A partnership between McNeese State University and the Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Foundation Inc. was announced Monday to provide educational program services for faculty professional development and curriculum assessment at Lake Charles College Prep. On hand were from left to right: Marve Sevier and Jennifer Zerangue, LCCP co-principals; Dr. Sabrah Kingham, LCCP director of education; Gene Thibodeaux, president of the Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Foundation; Dr. Daryl Burckel, president, McNeese State University; Dr. Angelique Ogea, interim dean of the McNeese Burton College of Education; and Dr. Mitchell Adrian, McNeese provost and vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management.

A partnership between McNeese State University and the Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Foundation Inc. will provide educational program services for faculty professional development and curriculum assessment at Lake Charles College Prep.

“Faculty in the McNeese Department of Education Professions will be supporting the teachers and administrators at LCCP using targeted teacher training in content and pedagogy as well as yearlong professional development tied to teaching, curriculum and assessments in order to enhance the opportunity for students’ educational achievement,” Dr. Angelique Ogea, interim dean of the McNeese Burton College of Education, said.

The Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Foundation holds a Type II charter contract with the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to operate Lake Charles College Prep.

“Our mission is to provide a quality, 21^st century performance-oriented educational experience that will give our students a solid academic foundation and prepare them to be productive citizens and leaders,” said Gene Thibodeaux, president of the Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy Foundation, which operates Lake Charles College Prep.

According to Thibodeaux, this partnership is the first of its kind between a state charter high school and a university in Louisiana.

“Ongoing professional development is critical for teachers to be effective,” said Dr. Sabrah Kingham, LCCP director of education. “The faculty in the Department of Education Professions at McNeese are specialists in teacher preparation, curriculum development, benchmarking and assessment. It is a tremendous opportunity for us to have them working with our faculty.”

“The goal of the McNeese Department of Education Professions is to develop quality teachers and drive student outcomes,” McNeese President Dr. Daryl Burckel said.

“McNeese is providing expertise in curriculum development, assessment and advanced teacher training. The administration at LCCP continues to manage the day-to-day operations of the school,” Burckel said.

The programs, resources and materials that McNeese provides will be aligned with Louisiana standards set by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The agreement is for a three-year period.

The Burton College of Education’s programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

LCCP, a public, charter school, opened in 2014 and presently serves 450 students in grades 9 through 12. Upon completion of a new facility, enrollment is projected to grow to 600 students.