On July 8, 2021, the Louisiana Department of Education updated its “Ready to Achieve!” COVID-19-related operational guidance for the 2021-2022 academic year. The guidance is based on current medical knowledge of how COVID-19 is transmitted, and provides recommendations on protective measures for schools and school districts to take in limiting potential exposure in school settings. The LDE’s guidance may be viewed online here.
BESE President Sandy Holloway issued the following statement regarding the updated guidance:
"The information recently published by the Louisiana Department of Education is provided as a resource for local districts and schools to use in establishing best practices for COVID-19 mitigation in the coming school year. These guidelines, based on the recommendations of the Louisiana Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, are not state-issued requirements, but recommendations for local K-12 leadership to consider in adopting their own opening plans for 2021-2022.
BESE has issued no mandates and approved no policies related to masking or distancing in schools for the coming year. Decisions regarding masking and other prevention measures are best made by those closest to our students, and Louisiana’s local school systems have the authority to develop COVID-19 policies appropriate for their communities."
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For more information, contact:
Kevin Calbert
225-342-5847
kevin.calbert@la.gov
BESE is the administrative policymaking body for elementary and secondary schools in Louisiana. The Board sets key education initiatives and works to outline an education agenda to achieve continuous improvement of public education as measured by student and school achievement