Our focus must be that of preparing Louisiana’s children to succeed and compete on a national as well as international level during this 21st century. Since 2000, our state as a whole has reached a desired goal of improved academic progress. This year, we fell short of that goal. Consequently, we must analyze, diagnose, and correct the problem. To that end, the State Department of Education is leading the effort with a sense of urgency, to immediately bring our state to the next level of educational excellence. It is our vision to create for the children of Louisiana a “world-class” education system – a system in which students are prepared to be effective citizens in a global market.

This plan, developed through the collaborative effort of educational leaders, will provide immediate actions and long-term strategies. Some of the initiatives already begun include the following:

• Hosting a monthly dialogue schedule with all local superintendents.
• Consulting with national and international education reform experts.
• Analyzing data to reveal successes and clarify lessons learned.
• Examining and revising Louisiana’s Comprehensive Curriculum.
• Building capacity of all educators, including teachers and administrators.
• Pairing high achieving schools with high priority schools.
• Implementing best practices and scientifically research-based programs in many schools across the state.
• Developing partnerships with universities and other stakeholders to enhance teaching and learning.

This journey to excellence is an ambitious effort that will involve ongoing, sustained commitment, communication, and collaboration. Our early steps in such areas as accountability, teacher quality, and data systems have brought national recognition to the state. It is now time to take the giant steps that will move us to the next level. We all agree that they, the children, deserve no less. Time is of the essence, and this administration will waste no time in realizing this vision.

Paul G. Pastorek
State Superintendent of Education
paulpastorek@la.gov