Parent and Family Engagement Task Force endorses five-part recommendations, emphasizes high school, communications and SPED supports

The Parent and Family Engagement Task Force voted to endorse a final report that recommends five priority areas for strengthening family engagement across the state: partnerships and collaboration; communication, clarity and access; support and capacity building; elevating family voice; and financial and policy alignment.

The final report, prepared in response to House Resolution 239 (2024), was presented by LDOE staff and circulated to members before the meeting. A staff presenter summarized the research basis, saying, “When parents are involved in their children's schooling, students show higher academic achievement, school engagement and motivation,” and noted a more detailed PDF of studies was available to members.

Task force members pressed for closer attention to high school engagement and counselor capacity. One member cited state data showing low career-diploma rates in some districts — “Orleans Parish, 2.4 percent; EBR, 8.7 percent” — as evidence families and students may not be receiving or using information about career pathways. Members urged clearer guidance and stronger implementation of individual graduation plans (IGPs), and recommended expanding counseling supports so students and families can have meaningful, one-on-one planning…