Dear Colleagues:

While our four-year university graduation rate is increasing, still only one in five Louisiana high school students on average ends up achieving a university degree. At the same time, our state's workforce is increasingly technical in nature: requiring a fundamental academic education as well as education after high school. Educating Louisiana students to take advantage of the job boom in our state, and to be participants in the 21st century workforce, is critical.

Standing in the way is the longstanding stigma attached to career education in America. Seventy-seven percent of Louisiana graduates are on the Core Four university preparatory track. Another 22 percent are on the basic track, leaving one percent on the career track. We have an unfortunate hierarchy of diplomas.

In December, BESE will review policies associated with the transition to higher academic standards in elementary and middle schools as part of the state's gradual five-year transition plan. In the last two weeks, these policies have been shared with the Superintendents Advisory Council and the Accountability Commission.

In January, BESE will begin considering high school policy. Over the last six months, we have been traveling the state talking about the hierarchy of diplomas currently.  In anticipation of the January BESE meeting, we have prepared some initial thoughts on areas of change in the state's approach to diplomas, as will be discussed on tomorrow's Superintendent Conference Call and in ongoing conversations across the state.  Following these discussions, we will issue a proposal for public comment.

At the heart of the presentation are the following ideas:

• End the stigma attached to career education by unifying the diploma and allowing multiple paths to the degree
• Align the university path with TOPS requirements and the career path with credentials for jobs available in local regions of the state
• Reward career education outcomes in the school accountability system
• Reduce standardized testing in high schools

This shift toward honoring career education will not be accomplished over night. But we hope that through discussion with parents, students, industry, and educators, we can craft a diploma that restores dignity to career education in a time of great economic growth, and time of opportunity for our graduates.

As always, thank you for all you do for our children,

John  

John White

Louisiana Department of Education

Twitter: @LouisianaSupe

District leaders, principals, teacher leaders, and coaches are asked to register here for the LDC Leadership Meetings on October 23 and October 24. Click here for a list of participating districts, and click here for participant expectations and training dates.

If there are any questions, please email jill.slack@la.gov.