The Louisiana Department of Education will hold a series of statewide meetings this summer to discuss the creation of educational opportunities for students to develop a long-term Louisiana state plan which also aligns with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). In the meetings, State Superintendent John White will begin the dialogue with parents, educators, and communities on the opportunities provided under the new federal law and receive feedback on what updates need to be made to the state’s education system. The meetings come on the heels of discussions held in June with education leaders, civil rights advocates, and business and industry leaders on the subject of ESSA.
The Every Student Succeeds Act was signed into law December, 10, 2015. The ESSA reauthorized the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act, revising many provisions of what was known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
Below is a schedule of meetings and locations to be held around the state. All district and school leaders, teachers, parents, business leaders, civic and community leaders, and advocacy groups are encouraged to attend these meetings and share their feedback with the Department.
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Additionally, the Department will engage members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), Accountability Commission, Superintendents’ Advisory Council (SAC), Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC), and Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP).
In late summer, following a review of feedback from all engagement meetings, the Department will release a draft framework of Louisiana’s ESSA plan. This draft framework will be available for public consideration on the Department’s website. Over the course of the fall and winter, the Department will continue working with BESE, the Accountability Commission, SAC, ECAC, SEAP members, and other stakeholders to develop policy around the state’s plan. Full implementation of the ESSA will happen in the 2017-2018 school year.
For more information on the ESSA and Louisiana’s plan, please click here.