BESE okays 33 Jump Start career course pathways

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) on Wednesday approved 33 Jump Start graduation pathways. Jump Start is a state initiative providing career courses and workplace experiences to students through the regional and statewide collaboration of school districts, colleges and businesses. The approved pathways outline how students can graduate by taking courses and attaining credentials relevant to an industry sector. Each pathway is comprised of a listing of sample careers, a complete list of required courses, culminating credentials and sample schedules to graduation.

“Beyond our state’s commitment to higher academic standards, innovative programs such as Jump Start further prepare our students for success after high school,” said Chas Roemer, BESE president. “Jump Start’s unique partnership between industry and education helps ensure that the skills and credentials acquired will position graduates for high-wage, entry-level employment. Establishing paths to graduation that align with the needs of Louisiana’s industry also gives more students the opportunity to achieve real career success right here at home.”

Jump Start regional teams—made up of school systems (and charter schools) and their governing authorities, two-year colleges, local industry, and economic and workforce development experts—develop and submit graduation pathways to the Jump Start Graduation Pathway Review Panel, which is comprised of representatives from Louisiana Economic Development, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, and the Louisiana Department of Education. The panel works with the regional teams to ensure the relevance and rigor of the course content and credentials, and that appropriate guidance is provided to educators and school counselors. Graduation pathways approved by the panel are reviewed by the State Superintendent of Education before being submitted to BESE for review.

Graduation pathways are expected to be dynamically updated over time; regional teams may make future recommendations to the panel to add new courses or credentials relevant to a graduation pathway that reflect changes in the industry. Regional teams throughout the state can also adapt and adopt any approved graduation pathway if it is determined that it is relevant to students in their region.

More information on Louisiana’s Jump Start Career Diploma is available online at www.louisianabelieves.com/jumpstart.

In other Board action, BESE approved a total allocation of $24.5 million for the state’s 8(g) education fund for the 2015-16 fiscal year, reflecting a 5.6 percent overall increase in available 8(g) funding from 2013-14. After factoring in management, oversight and evaluation costs, the Board approved an allocation of $11,349,476.00 for the Student Enhancement Block Grant Program and $12,349,476.00 million for the Statewide Grant Program. Priority areas of focus defined by the Board for 8(g) in 2015-16 include high quality early childhood education, college and career readiness, teacher and leadership development, and technology and innovation.

In light of increased nationwide awareness and concern regarding communicable diseases, the Board made several related policy changes. After receiving a report on planning and response to public health emergencies, student attendance, and continued educational services, BESE approved policy revisions, which include provisions to: further clarify the ability of local superintendents to determine school closures in the event of public health emergencies; address the needs of students who have not been diagnosed with a communicable disease but are quarantined due to exposure to or direct contact with contagious, deadly diseases, ensuring that such students continue to receive educational services; disseminate public health information through LDE to school governing authorities.

The Board also named its appointments to the newly formed Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Advisory Council, which will advise BESE and the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) in implementing the unification of the state’s early childhood systems. Per Act 868 of the 2014 Regular Legislative Session, the ECCE Advisory Council will be comprised of representatives and stakeholders within the field of early childhood and education, with seven of its 17 voting members appointed by BESE. As part of the appointment process, Board members reviewed applications from their district and nominated applicants for consideration. The following individuals were appointed:

· Contessa Brooks, Director of Head Start, West Feliciana Parish Schools
· Bonnie Buckelew, Supervisor of Special Education, Jackson Parish Schools
· Jodi Loar, Owner/Co-Director, Color Wheel Learning Centers, Ascension Parish
· Paula Polito, Owner, Beary Cherry Tree Day Care Center, Jefferson Parish
· Cindy Rushing, Preschool Program Coordinator, Rapides Parish Schools
· John Warner Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Education’s Next Horizon
· Carynn Wiggins, Principal, Our Lady of Fatima School, Ouachita Parish