Oct 22, 2025, 09:47 AM
by
Regine Williams
For Immediate Release
October 22, 2025
Media Contact:
Regine Williams
Communications Manager
[email protected]
BATON ROUGE, LA — The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) held its regularly scheduled committee meetings on Tuesday, October 14, and its full Board meeting on Wednesday, October 15, where members finalized actions on several key education initiatives.
The October committee meetings included sessions of the Academic Goals and Instructional Improvement, Board Administration and Education Finance, Legislative and Governmental Affairs, Educator Effectiveness, and School Innovation and Turnaround committees.
During Wednesday’s full Board meeting, members approved a number of important items and received reports from the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) on initiatives designed to continuously improve academic performance and close the achievement gap.
Following the Board meeting, the first meeting of the Truancy Study Group was held, chaired by BESE member Dr. Sharon L. Clark, pursuant to House Resolution 180 (2025) by Representatives Barbara Freiberg and Tehmi Chassion. The study group will explore strategies to address student truancy across the state, including potential adjustments to the student count methodology used in Louisiana’s public school funding formula. This was the first of a series of meetings that will conclude with a report to the Louisiana Legislature by February 1, 2026.
Key actions and highlights from the October meetings included:
- BESE Establishes Artificial Intelligence Workgroup
The Board approved the creation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workgroup, as proposed by BESE President Ronnie Morris. The workgroup will consist of BESE members, LDOE staff, and national AI experts, and will be chaired by Dr. Jim Henderson, president of Louisiana Tech University. The group will explore responsible integration of AI in Louisiana classrooms to enhance learning and workforce readiness.
- Louisiana Reduces State Testing for High School Students
BESE approved revisions to Louisiana’s high school assessment structure that will reduce the number of required state tests, streamlining testing while maintaining rigorous academic standards. The changes are designed to minimize redundancy, decrease testing time, and allow teachers more flexibility to focus on classroom instruction.
The move reflects the Board’s ongoing commitment to ensuring assessments are meaningful, efficient, and supportive of both student learning and teacher effectiveness. Read more here.
- Review of Charter School Applications
BESE As part of its oversight of Louisiana’s charter school system, BESE considered overview presentations (Audubon Baton Rouge, Bridge Academy, GEO North Baton Rouge Elementary, and GEO North Baton Rouge Upper Academy) and public input for a new round of BESE-authorized charter school applications. These proposals represent organizations seeking to open or expand public charter schools designed to meet specific community and student needs.
The review process includes a rigorous evaluation of each applicant’s academic model, financial plan, and capacity to serve students effectively. BESE members will continue deliberations in upcoming meetings before final decisions are made on which proposals move forward. The charter application process reflects BESE’s focus on accountability, innovation, and providing families with high-quality public education options.
- LDOE Reported on Academic Improvement Efforts
The Louisiana Department of Education provided updates on statewide efforts to improve academic outcomes, including approval of YouthForce NOLA as a Course Choice provider, which allows the department to accept applications on a rolling basis. LDOE also presented data on numeracy key performance indicators (KPIs) aimed at increasing student achievement in math across grade levels.
“This month’s meetings highlight the collaboration and innovation driving education forward in Louisiana,” said BESE President Ronnie Morris. “Whether it’s reducing testing burdens, expanding high-quality charter options, or exploring the role of artificial intelligence in the classroom, BESE is committed to making thoughtful, student-centered decisions that help our schools thrive.”
These meetings represent BESE’s continued work to align polices and resources with Louisiana’s educational priorities, while maintaining a strong partnership with state and business leaders. To watch the recorded meetings, visit our YouTube channel.
About BESE
The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is the administrative body for Louisiana’s schools. BESE adopts regulations and enacts policies governing the state’s elementary and secondary schools in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE).