As many of you know, Southern Lab has been on an upward trajectory over the last several years. Last week, I mentioned that the Kittens won the state championship in football, a first in 19 years. This week, the school received more great news. After working the last few years to return to its academic prowess, the Lab School has been recognized as a "Top Gains School" as its letter grade has improved from a "C" to a high "B." The school's School Performance Score (SPS) improved from an 83.6 to a 95.8, which is only 4.2 points away from an A. Please join me in applauding our students for not only becoming a dominant force again in athletics, but also in academics. This is such an amazing success story given that the school was near closure three years ago.

 

I spent much of the week working on the Governor-elect's Higher Education Transition Team. Our team continued to work on policy and strategy to help the new administration improve educational attainment, make education more affordable, and ensure all institutions remain accountable to the people of Louisiana. It has truly been an honor to be a voice for Southern, and all of higher education, as the transition team helps plan the future of our state. Over the last eight years, the Southern University System alone has lost more than $40M in state funding and has had to cut more than 500 faculty and staff positions in response to Louisiana's disinvestment in higher education. But, I am encouraged, Southernites, with the new direction of the state and of our dear Southern University. There has been much discussion over the last several weeks about reinvesting in higher education again. I've been particularly pleased with the conversations regarding making Southern University stronger than ever.