BESE members emphasize policies that work
Three northeastern Louisiana representatives of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education talked about policies that are improving Louisiana schools at a West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday .
Tony Davis of Natchitoches and Gary Jones of Alexandria were elected in November, and Lurie Thomason of Monroe was appointed to the board by Gov. John Bel Edwards.
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The three talked informally about their views on education in the state and how to address needs. On a few occasions, they stopped to explain what certain terminology meant to the crowd, which largely consisted of school board members, education workers and local business leaders.
Davis started by explained the function of BESE, which sets prekindergarten through high school policy statewide. It consists of eight elected and three appointed members.
Jones said it's possibly the most independent board in the state and ,currently, there's no rancor among members, who respectfully agree to disagree. Jones said a common misconception is that BESE in charge of local school districts, but each board functions within BESE-set policies.
Davis talked about Act 3, or the Early Childhood Education Act, which called for an integrated early childhood education network with aligned standards and other assets to ensure young children are getting the tools they need.
Jones said there are greater opportunities than ever before. One of his goals is to ensure a child's education doesn't depend on their ZIP code.
Thomason said one of the most important things the business community can do is combine efforts, such as the United Way Read, Learn Succeed program, to help make sure children are reading at grade level by fourth grade. In his work in criminal justice, Thomason said, a common trait of young men entering Angola State Penitentiary is that many are illiterate.
He said it's important for all children to hear that education is no longer optional for success and that the adults around them want them to to be successful.
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Davis said the Every Student Succeeds Act will require educators to pay more attention to subgroups in schools. Jones said, when enacted, the policies will involve input from all groups to best reach the children who are being missed.
Thomason touted the importance of yearlong residencies for incoming educators. Davis said its important not only to the student-teachers but to the educators serving as mentors.
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