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

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.