State standards review committee outlines goals, timeline and breakout work for ELA and math

The first meeting of the 2025 English language arts and mathematics content standards review committee convened at the Department of Education to review goals, organization and a multi-month timeline for revising Louisiana’s ELA and math standards.

Deputy Assistant Superintendent Sharon Nikas, the meeting facilitator for the Louisiana Department of Education, told members the review will be led by Louisiana educators and is intended to produce “the best Louisiana standards for students.” She said the committee’s immediate priorities include strengthening foundational skills in early grades, clarifying language and grammar expectations for high school, and identifying high-school mathematics pathways that support college, career and service readiness.

The committee’s work is governed by state policy. Nikas noted DESE policy in Bulletin 741 requires content standards to be reviewed and revised on a seven-year cycle, and she explained meetings will be open to the public, follow Louisiana’s open meetings law, and adhere to Robert’s Rules of Order for formal decision items.

Why it matters: The review will shape what schools teach statewide and influence materials adoption and professional learning. Nikas described a schedule that gives the committee four months of drafting work plus two months of public comment, with an optimal target to present draft standards to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) in October.

Process, structure and timeline The committee…