Regional Summits
In January and February 2009, community leaders from across the state came together to identify local solutions to the dropout crisis. Community teams are comprised of leaders in education, business, judiciary, law enforcement, and non-profit community service organizations. Sixty-seven (67) of the state's seventy school districts participated in regional summits held in Shreveport, Hammond, Luling, Monroe, Alexandria, Thibodaux and Lake Charles. The regional summits averaged 100-200 leaders at each summit.
The regional summits were organized by Education's Next Horizon and the Regional Education Service Centers of the Louisiana Department of Education. Breakout sessions were professionally facilitated by Scott Hughes, Executive Director of the Shreveport-based Alliance for Education. Hughes is also a member of the Board of Directors of Education's Next Horizon.
State Superintendent Paul G. Pastorek attended the summits and spoke to participants about the state's commitment to raise the graduation rate. He also took the opportunity to outline the state's intervention and support strategies, including programs such as Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) and Educational Mission to Prepare Louisiana's Youth (EMPLoY).
District Action Plans
The regional summits gave school districts and community leaders an opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities, share best practices, and identify solutions in the three areas of policy, process and programs. District teams met in breakout sessions and identified specific objectives that they intend to pursue over the coming months to increase their on-time graduation rate. The action steps are grouped into four (4) best practice focus areas:
- Early Detection & Community Support Systems
- Truancy & Attendance
- Connecting School to the Future
- Local Community Ideas & Objectives
Each community leadership team chose two co-leaders: one from the education community and one non-educator. District community teams also identified a lead convener organization that will help to facilitate future planning and follow-up of district efforts. District Action Plans have been compiled by region.
