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