VIDALIA &045; In order to train teachers on a new state accountability test, Concordia Parish schools will dismiss early Jan. 31.

Superintendent Kerry Laster said the district had the minutes available in their calendar and would use them to provide a two-hour in-service program for teachers.

Due to changes in state curriculum students will no longer take the LEAP test each year, they will take the ILEAP test.

The test is a combination of the Iowa criteria referenced test and the LEAP norm referenced test, said Fred Butcher, director of academic affairs.

Administrators will first learn the new material and check to see if their resources, including textbooks, match the curriculum. Officials from the state will provide the training.

&uot;We have a huge undertaking,&uot; Butcher said. &uot;We have to look at resources we presently have and align resources. Louisiana is the first to do something like ILEAP.&uot;

Administrators will receive training on Jan. 19.

Laster also announced that the district will soon advertise for the position of vocational supervisor. Dorothy Marsalis currently holds the job but will retire soon. The district hopes to hire someone to work with Marsalis for training this school year.

The board re-elected the same officers to serve another year. Ernest Lynn White will serve as president.