Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dual Enrollment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
St. Bernard Parish updates LEAP Connect dual-enrollment program; 9 students already in internships
Summary
At the Nov. 11 school board meeting, Joe Cipollone updated the board on LEAP Connect: students attend Nunez four days a week in an Environmental Services Specialist pathway, all participants are passing, and nine of the 12 students already have part-time internships; the district is applying for industry credentials with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
Joe Cipollone told the St. Bernard Parish School Board on Nov. 11 that the LEAP Connect dual-enrollment program is off to a strong start, with students attending classes at Nunez four days a week and earning real-world experience through internships.
"Every single 1 of our students in this program is passing their courses so far," Cipollone said, describing the Environmental Services Specialist pathway that combines classroom work at Nunez with job-site visits and internships.
Cipollone said partnerships with local institutions — including Nunez, LSU job coaches, Gulf Coast Bank, the sheriff’s office, the Royal Sonesta and the New Orleans Children’s Museum — have helped create opportunities for on-site learning and part-time work. He reported that nine of the 12 students in the initial cohort already have internships or part-time jobs tailored to their schedules and that the district’s goal is to place all 12 students by December.
The district is also seeking formal recognition of the program’s coursework. Cipollone said St. Bernard is working with Nunez and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to have the coursework and credits recognized as industry-based credentials. "These credentials basically signal to employers that ... a high school student earns these credentials, it shows that they are workforce ready in certain skills," he said.
Board members praised the program during a question-and-answer exchange. Several members encouraged sharing the model more broadly; one suggested presenting at teacher‑leader gatherings so other districts could learn from St. Bernard’s partnership with community colleges and employers.
The board requested a follow-up update next semester. The presentation included a summary of student placements, employer partners, and the district’s plan to provide bus-training and bus passes so students may travel independently to internships when appropriate.
