In this issue:
- BESE “Bridging Success” tour connects education and industry to expand work-based learning
- BESE forms new Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee
- ICYMI: BESE adopts state’s first-ever K-12 standards for computer science
- Latest BESE policy updates
- Upcoming BESE and LDOE meetings
- BESE member spotlight – Dr. Sharon Latten Clark
- Did you know?
- Connect with BESE
BESE “Bridging Success” tour connects education and industry to expand work-based learning
Earlier this year BESE approved a new accountability system for Louisiana schools and districts. A significant change was to increase the value of work-based learning experiences within the formula, which includes career/technical training as well as apprenticeships and internships. The development of new apprenticeship and internship programs is a priority for BESE and these programs will play an increasingly important role in Louisiana career education and workforce development.
In an effort to highlight the successful WBL/career training programs of local school systems, develop and expand apprenticeship/internship programs, and clarify expectations for school districts, BESE is beginning a statewide series of roundtable meetings and site visits in each BESE district throughout the state. These “Bridging Success” collaborations between the state and local education and business leaders will provide communities with practical information to develop and expand impactful career education and workforce training initiatives.
The Board’s first regional event is in Baton Rouge on November 19, and will continue statewide in early 2025. For additional information about the Bridging Success statewide tour, contact Kevin Calbert at kevin.calbert@la.gov.
BESE forms new Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee
BESE has recently created a Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee to support the activities related to advancing the legislative agenda of BESE. Similar to other standing BESE committees, the group will be comprised of Board members and will engage in a number of activities related to the development of BESE’s legislative agenda and priorities. District 5 BESE Member, Board Vice President and former State Representative Lance Harris will serve as chairman. Activities will include:
- developing the BESE annual public policy agenda;
- providing ongoing coordination of communication with other BESE committees, councils, boards, members, and state associations concerning the legislative, regulatory, and other public policy activities and initiatives of BESE; and
- developing strategies to achieve the public education policy agenda of BESE.
Duties of the Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee will include:
- prioritizing issues and developing policy positions in alignment with proposes legislative action;
- executing strategies including key message development and dissemination, educating constituencies, and preparing and submitting correspondence to congressional and state legislative offices;
- reviewing relevant proposals, reports, and announcements released by congress, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Louisiana State Legislature;
- contributing to the development of governmental education policy related areas by responding to and initiating opportunities to interact with federal and state government officials and public and private organizations on matters of education policy;
- developing new and strengthening existing relationships with legislators and policymakers.
ICYMI: BESE adopts state’s first-ever K-12 standards for computer science
In October, BESE approved the state’s first-ever academic content standards for computer science. The new standards are designed to ensure graduates apply analytical and critical thinking skills to real-world situations, demonstrate digital literacy and digital citizenship skills, and utilize technology skills as employable citizens to meet present and future workforce needs.
The standards are organized into five core concepts from the Louisiana Computer Science Framework, which include computing skills, networks and the internet, data and analysis, algorithms and programming, and impacts of computing. The framework assists teachers in structuring student learning, providing cohesion to the components that make up computer science educational programs, and is adaptable to varying teaching styles and specific computer science content topics. An overview of the new standards and final policy language is available for viewing here.
Louisiana’s new computer science standards will be implemented statewide for the start of the 2025-2026 school year. LDOE is conducting a series of webinars to provide information and assistance in implementing the new content standards, along with additional supports and guidance to educators and school systems to ensure successful implementation. For additional information about the computer science standards and the implementation process, please contact the LDOE at STEM@la.gov.
Latest BESE policy updates
Revisions to state education policy approved by BESE at its October meetings include:
- Bulletin 104 – Louisiana K-12 Educational technology Standards
- Places into policy Louisiana’s new Computer Science Content Standards. Repeals Bulletin 104, Louisiana K-12 Educational Technology Standards and establishes Bulletin 104, Louisiana Computer Science Content Standards. Full details >
- Bulletin 118 –Statewide Assessment Standards and Practices
- Revisions to clarify policy regarding field testing, the purpose of which is to obtain data on test items that have been developed for a particular student assessment. Full details >
- Bulletin 125 –Standards for Educational Leaders in Louisiana
- Repeals outdated standards and combines teacher and leader requirements into a new bulletin (Bulletin 146, Louisiana Competencies and Standards for Teachers and Educational Leaders) Full details >
- Bulletin 126 –Charter Schools
- Establishes a communication pathway for electronic delivery of information regarding key priorities and initiatives directly to each member of a local school board and to each local education agency. Full details >
- Clarification of policy approved in response to Act 659 of the 2024 Regular Session regarding charter school requirements for enrollment of students with exceptionalities/economically disadvantaged students. Full details >
- Bulletin 132 –Louisiana Course Choice Program
- Revisions align policy with the provisions of Act 91 of the 2024 Regular Session regarding student enrollment. Full details >
- Bulletin 133 – Scholarship Programs
- Act 1 of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session created the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program to provide educational saving accounts for parental choice in K-12 education. In August 2024, BESE approved policy revisions to establish the LA GATOR Program. BESE further directed the LDOE to provide policy updates to Bulletin 133 to include phase 2 and 3 guidelines. Full details >
- Bulletin 135 – Health and Safety
- Revisions pertaining to the dissemination of immunization information in schools. Full details >
- Bulletin 146 – Louisiana Competencies and Standards for Teachers and Educational Leaders
- Establishes Bulletin 146 (replacing Bulletin 125), combining all teacher and leader competencies and updating educational leader competencies to align with the Louisiana Educator Advancement and Development System rubric. Full details >
- Bulletin 741 – Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators
- Establishes a communication pathway for electronic delivery of information regarding key priorities and initiatives directly to each member of a local school board and to each local education agency. Full details >
- Bulletin 741 (nonpublic) – Louisiana Handbook for Nonpublic School Administrators
- Revisions pertaining to the dissemination of immunization information in schools. Full details >
- Bulletin 746 – Louisiana Standards for State Certification of School Personnel
- Moves teacher competencies to Bulletin 146 and updates educational leader pathways; updates and allows for the renewal and advancement of the educational leader alternate pathway 4; aligns renewal pathways for certificates related to the LEADS rubric; aligns policy for out-of-state principals and administrators to legislation; creates additional computer science pathways to certification; adopts new computer science elementary exam; updates Montessori certification to align with law; adds recognition designations; and technical edits. Full details >
- Bulletin 996 – Standards for Approval of Teacher and/or Educational Leader Preparation Programs
- Updates language to align with Bulletin 746; adds new sections to include terms and acronyms; includes sunset dates removed from policy; and technical edits. Full details >
- Bulletin 1903 – Louisiana Handbook for Students with Dyslexia
- Aligns policy with the provisions of Act 517 of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session, providing for dyslexia screening and core assessment. Full details >
- Louisiana Administrative Code 28, Part I (BESE Code)
- Provides for the establishment of the BESE Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee. Full details >
Policy revisions approved by BESE are submitted to the Louisiana Register for public notification and comment as part of the state’s Notice of Intent (NOI) process. Current BESE NOIs may be tracked here >
Upcoming BESE and LDOE meetings
November 18 – Accountability Council
November 19 – BESE “Bridging Success” Roundtable (Baton Rouge area)
November 20 – Louisiana Environmental Education Commission
November 20 – Early Childhood Care and Education Advisory Council
December 9 – Early Childhood Care and Education Commission
December 10 – BESE Committees
December 11 – BESE Meeting
December 11 – MFP Task Force
December 16 – Teacher Advisory Council
Meeting dates are subject to change and cancellation. For the latest scheduling information, agendas, and video streaming links, visit bese.louisiana.gov.
BESE member spotlight – Dr. Sharon Latten Clark
Dr. Sharon Latten Clark is the Charter Director of Sophie B. Wright High School in New Orleans and has a career in public education spanning over a quarter of a century. She began as a para-educator and English teacher in the Houston Independent school district before returning to teach English at Fredrick Douglass High School. She served as an Assistant Principal in Phoenix, Arizona, before returning home to lead Sophie B Wright Public School. Dr. Clark led Sophie B. Wright prior to Hurricane Katrina and transformed it into a high-performing, open-enrollment school. A Xavier Prep High School graduate, Dr. Clark earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Xavier University and a Doctorate from the University of New Orleans in Educational Leadership.
Learn more about BESE Members here >
Did you know?
- Since the inception of the Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund in 1986, BESE has allocated approximately $1.4 billion in 8(g) funds to support nearly 10,000 projects statewide. Learn more about BESE 8(g) here >
- BESE has created a number of advisory councils to assist the Board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. Members of advisory councils are typically appointed and include education, business, and community leaders with the background necessary to provide the Board with expert advice on issues it is considering. Learn more about BESE Advisory Councils here >
Connect with BESE
Visit BESE online: BESE.louisiana.gov
Follow BESE on X: x.com/BESE_LA
Watch BESE on YouTube: youtube.com/@louisianaBESE
Attend BESE meetings: https://bese.louisiana.gov/meetings/meeting-calendars