This week nearly 2,000 teachers, principals and district staff, representing schools across the state, will meet in Lafayette at the Teacher Leader Kickoff to begin their work together to prepare for the state's transition to more rigorous standards and assessments. This two day event will be followed by training throughout the summer and into the school year. Click here to watch the Teacher Leader Kickoff live, starting Thursday at 10 am and continuing on Friday at 8 am.

Teacher Leaders will focus on: 

• Resource Awareness: Understanding the shifts Louisiana is making for the 2013-14 school year in Common Core and Compass and understanding all the associated resources.
• Communication:  Sharing resources and curricular shifts directly and clearly with teachers at their school. 
• Collaboration: Understanding the essential components of strong collaboration.

Last week, the Department announced that Louisiana's cohort graduation rate increased for the second consecutive year to an all-time high of 72.3 percent. This marks almost a one percentage point increase from last year, a six percentage point increase over the last five years, and over a ten percentage point increase over the last decade. In 2011-2012, districts made great strides towards improving student outcomes. Of the 71 districts across the state, 39 increased the percentage of students graduating in 2012. To see graduation rates by district click here. Congratulations and thanks to educators and school and district staff for their tireless work to improve outcomes for Louisiana's students.

Please click here for a summary of policy changes approved at the April 16th and 17th Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meetings.