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Saturday, November 2, 2024

Louisiana Association of Business, Industry slates recommendations for education policy during COVID-19

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Gov. John Bel Edwards heard recommendations for dealing with the COVID-19 crisis from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. | Photo by Marie Constantin

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) announced recommendations April 30 for policies intended to improve the stability of the state’s public education and address workforce needs, even as the state works through the initial phase of its response to COVID-19.

Their recommendations include:

Using discretionary education funds from the federal stimulus for the following:

  • Financial support for safe, high-quality childcare providers and workers who will enable the reopening of the economy through their service and sacrifice.
  • Teacher training and support as well as necessary revisions to curriculum and testing to help keep students on grade level as they enter a new school year following weeks of lost learning.
  • Short and long-term improvements in access to and quality of digital instruction for students in K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions.
  • Personalized coaching and high-quality, affordable remediation to keep college students enrolled and on track despite newfound economic hardships.
  • Rapid response training for the currently unemployed to put them on a path toward higher-wage, in-demand careers.
"As with so many crises in Louisiana’s past, this is the moment to define our future," said Camille Conaway, LABI senior vice president. "Now is not the time to maintain the status quo but to aggressively work together to change our historic weaknesses – thousands of impoverished Louisianans in poor health with low-skilled and low-wage jobs. This is the window of opportunity to innovate and boldly suggest a new path forward."

These suggestions were shared with Gov. John Bel Edwards and his administration, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Regents and legislative leaders on April 29.

"Employers across the state stand ready to work with Louisiana's leaders to push in the direction we need to go -- toward a stronger, diversified economy with a more educated and skilled workforce at the helm," Conaway said.

The group’s recommendations are based on best practices, discussion with state experts and stakeholders, and the idea that every student deserves the best possible opportunity for academic success and economic prosperity, Conaway wrote in her letter to the governor. 

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