[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6071639,"mediaKeyId","3036931-fd4745f715dc9b8eebf61117e40e4a36","parentId",3036931,"title","BESE approves world-language renewals, alternative-education programs, Fast Forward providers, cellphone testing rule and pupil appraisal updates","audioSeconds",101,"startMs",3272000,"endMs",3373000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3036931-fd4745f715dc9b8eebf61117e40e4a36&start=3272&end=3373","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3036931-fd4745f715dc9b8eebf61117e40e4a36/thumbnail_3272000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6071639/Louisiana/BESE-approves-world-language-renewals-alternative-education-programs-Fast-Forward-providers-cellphone-testing-rule-and-pupil-appraisal-updates","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071639-492d720137bfcf472c361b5f3955a0cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197288&Signature=FNtNiAulmtMsABJdJLWA9qKwBZaVkNoMMxQnmT59grOUWWXjtx4Yi3Du2inaYmzLDAo-npeWnEddjaP8ydBncEpD508hQx4Pj2TfnmF6YJsQi~wiL9lIiv-lBtWWl69BNubBbkQKq2wKDeQ5IQoMrOr4vOAykVeGZ6xTQk2oLIx1Ei7Xn1eDJ7cy56jIJIyQknaQjJVp3aqEGK3WrIVJc6tyAuXlP-015d0MY9b-OXonf3rDLISAGBQfHC53OO0B89EzguXL8W~mW64RMX0fsaFNdPgwBZ4TH5169U4cf7AlEcWiFR2AaCJuhbWShj-Zj9J-fvxl5W1OUjlMrLuR6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana BESE","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on April 8 adopted multiple agenda items by voice vote, approving school-program renewals and several policy updates as outlined in the board packet.

Items approved and key details:

- Renewal of state-certified world language immersion schools (Agenda item 4.1). Motion: Miss Holloway; second: Mr. Harris. Outcome: approved. The board accepted the staff recommendation to renew the schools as listed in the packet.

- Approval of alternative education programs and alternative education schools for the 2025–26 school year (Agenda item 4.2). Motion: Doctor Armstrong; second: Mr. Harris. Outcome: approved. Board members received no public comment and the motion passed by voice vote.

- Updates regarding course-choice providers for the Fast Forward summers program (Agenda item 4.3). Motion: Miss Champagne (mover); second: not specified on the transcript. Outcome: approved. Staff described the action as a continuation and addition of opportunities for students to access work-based learning and industry-recognized credentials through the Fast Forward summers program.

- Revisions to Bulletin 118 (statewide assessment standards and practices) regarding cellphones during testing — approved as a notice of intent (Agenda item 6.1). Motion: Miss Champagne; second: Mr. Harris. Outcome: adopted as notice of intent. Staff and a superintendent-advisory representative said the proposed change aligns Louisiana testing practices with national best practices and would allow tests to be voided if a student is in possession of a cellphone during a standardized assessment. Mr. Birkin asked whether the change duplicated a legislative prohibition; staff replied that local policies already prohibit phones during the instructional day and this revision specifically addresses possession during standardized testing because of the risk of a security breach.

- Revisions to Bulletin 1508 (Pupil Appraisal Handbook) regarding screening and evaluation for special education and related services — approved as a notice of intent (Agenda item 6.3). Motion: Miss Champagne; second: Doctor Armstrong. Outcome: adopted as notice of intent. Staff summarized that the revisions would: allow licensed specialists in school psychology and licensed psychologists with a school specialty to serve on pupil appraisal teams; update autism criteria to align with the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual; add evaluation considerations aligned with Bulletin 1903 for dyslexia; update school-health language to allow prescriptions from a licensed physician of any state; and include technical edits. The Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAT) and the State Advisory Committee (SAC) endorsed the changes.

All of the listed items were adopted by voice vote; the transcript records motions, seconders where noted, and the chair’s call for objections rather than formal roll-call tallies.

What the board approved: multiple program renewals and notice-of-intent rule revisions intended to (1) continue state-certified immersion and alternative-education programs; (2) expand summer course-choice opportunities tied to career and technical education credentials; (3) align assessment security policy around student possession of cellphones during standardized testing; and (4) update pupil-appraisal and special-education screening practices and team composition.

Votes at a glance (actions recorded on the transcript):

- Agenda 4.1 — Renewal of state-certified world language immersion schools: Mover: Miss Holloway; Seconder: Mr. Harris; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Agenda 4.2 — Alternative education programs for 2025–26: Mover: Doctor Armstrong; Seconder: Mr. Harris; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Agenda 4.3 — Course-choice providers (Fast Forward summers program): Mover: Miss Champagne; Seconder: not specified; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Agenda 6.1 — Bulletin 118 (assessment cellphones): Mover: Miss Champagne; Seconder: Mr. Harris; Outcome: adopted as notice of intent (voice vote). Staff explained tests may be voided if a student has a cellphone during a testing session.
- Agenda 6.3 — Bulletin 1508 (pupil appraisal handbook): Mover: Miss Champagne; Seconder: Doctor Armstrong; Outcome: adopted as notice of intent (voice vote). SEAT and SAC endorsed the revisions.

Board members and staff noted that many of these items were routine approvals or technical updates; where substantive changes were proposed (Bulletins 118 and 1508), the board approved them as notices of intent and staff will return with final language for adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/08/2025 Academic Goals and Instructional Improvement Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted multiple program renewals and policy notices on April 8, including renewals of world-language immersion schools, approval of alternative-education programs for 2025–26, continuation of Fast Forward summer course-choice providers, a notice of intent to revise testing policy for cellphone possession, and a notice of intent to update the pupil-appraisal handbook.","taxTitle","State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), Boards & Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Louisiana","taxId",25426,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6071644,"BESE approves notice of intent for ‘Freedom Seal’ diploma endorsement after student testimony",704,2576000,3280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3036931-fd4745f715dc9b8eebf61117e40e4a36&start=2576&end=3280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3036931-fd4745f715dc9b8eebf61117e40e4a36/thumbnail_2576000.jpg","/articles/6071644/Louisiana/BESE-approves-notice-of-intent-for-Freedom-Seal-diploma-endorsement-after-student-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071644-5db786636e651bc8d1f9773b707abd80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771197288&Signature=bxmpaADHd9MA9kM-jR6xZbSaQ5EVV02iNSasDdPxty5ZrgRv33LXtHd9j8QQKAKSodE~AVIUyyhLwGCBv8qQDZS26xvUzJHFqcAtL1jE674QwxJCaIshoPOCBGMAdERVdsujiOJTDiVyq5Z3hhoZnFz1X9KGd8-mudS9vwu6BRYCOqhRG5nXm693VKz~kGPSkGgGTCzCNoBuAemdwM2AZ0NhxH7Hez96VU8GQDlCZ-5KKoWhIQALxO3VRPma8c6f4IfYPTKH7VW3gx9IYcG1cidW~JPNQGNrJg6YhoozR8BCQtlaGVpFrcisx2troobTxoLzUSIzN~fjzOcaXelRoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on April 8 approved as a notice of intent a revision to Bulletin 741 to create a Freedom Seal diploma endorsement for students who master civics on the LEAP assessment and to allow a red, white and blue honor cord for eligible graduates.

The endorsement would not create a new diploma; it would add a foil seal to a student’s existing diploma and an optional honor cord for students who score at the mastery level or higher on the civics assessment. Board members clarified the endorsement is voluntary and that results will be applied to students as soon as finalized for the graduating cohort.

The item prompted public comment from members of the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council. Phoebe Fannin, a junior at Zachary High School and member of the council, told the board the group had worked on civic-education initiatives for two years and welcomed the proposal. Brinkley Bennett, a 17-year-old LIAC member, said, “Civic knowledge matters,” and argued the seal would encourage students to learn about rights and responsibilities and to participate in civic life. Spencer Croft, a 16-year-old LIAC member from Lafayette High, said recognizing civic learning “sends a message that civic participation matters.” Walker Prejean, a senior at Lafayette High, described low turnout among newly eligible young voters in a recent amendment election and said stronger emphasis on civics could address that gap.

Board discussion framed the endorsement as an incentive and a recognition, not a mandate or a change to graduation requirements. A board member confirmed the seal would be recorded in the state transcript system (STS) in the same way the community-service endorsement is recorded. Board members and staff noted some related legislative actions were pending and said the board would reconcile any statutory changes before final adoption. A superintendent advisory representative indicated endorsement of the approach for aligning testing practices and student recognition.

The board adopted the notice of intent by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded on the transcript.

What the board approved: a notice of intent to revise Bulletin 741 to (1) add a Freedom Seal diploma endorsement for students who attain mastery on the civics LEAP assessment, (2) allow a foil seal to be affixed to the diploma, and (3) make students who meet the standard eligible for a red-white-and-blue honor cord at graduation. The action was presented as an endorsement only — not a new diploma or a mandate for local systems.

The board and staff clarified eligibility timing: because final assessment results are not certified until after some graduations, students who take the civics assessment and later graduate will receive the endorsement if their results show mastery once scores are finalized.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve Bulletin 741 as a notice of intent — mover: Mister Hollis; seconder: Doctor Armstrong. Outcome: adopted (voice vote).","The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a notice of intent to add a Freedom Seal diploma endorsement for students who demonstrate mastery on the civics LEAP assessment and be eligible for a red-white-and-blue honor cord; student speakers from the Legislative Youth Advisory Council urged the board to adopt the recognition.","actionData","errors"]

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BESE approves world-language renewals, alternative-education programs, Fast Forward providers, cellphone testing rule and pupil appraisal updates

BESE approves notice of intent for ‘Freedom Seal’ diploma endorsement after student testimony