This week students in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System are taking LEAP, iLEAP and GEE Exams. Before students picked up their pencils and began testing on Monday, March 19, schools across the district held rallies as motivation for students to do their best on these important exams.  Some of those rallies included special guests such as Baton Rouge Police Chief Jeff LeDuff.  He encouraged students at Southeast Middle School to show up ready to work.  Chief LeDuff urged students to get a good night’s rest each day before the exam and to eat a well-balanced breakfast.

Prescott Middle School students received a similar message.  6th, 7th and 8th graders jammed in the gym Friday afternoon during a LEAP exam pep rally.  The theme of the event was “Let’s Leap the LEAP”.  The mood was light as students sang and danced, but teachers and administrators stressed the importance of getting to school on time each day of testing. 

Tests will continue through Friday, March 23.  All East Baton Rouge Parish School System students in the 4th and 8th grades must pass the LEAP exam in order to be promoted to the next grade.