Louisiana Department of Education

Project DREAM is a literacy plan designed to improve student literacy outcomes for 2,607 students within a cluster feeder system in Vermilion Parish. The plan addresses generational poverty and illiteracy by focusing on enhancing reading, engagement, abilities, and mastery from early childhood through high school. Key goals include ensuring students acquire pre-reading and oral language skills, enter kindergarten ready to learn, achieve literacy by 3rd grade, perform at or above grade level in ELA by 5th and 8th grades, and graduate high school on time. Strategies involve data-driven decision-making, professional development for educators, and strong partnerships with community agencies and universities to provide comprehensive support and resources.

The committee reviewed and recommended various items for board action, including the receipt of internal audit reports, state superintendent-approved contracts, and contract amendments for various educational programs. Discussions focused on the approval of allocations for teacher preparation programs, job training initiatives for at-risk youth, and school improvement grants. Furthermore, the committee addressed several contract amendments and new contracts related to architectural design services and FEMA-funded projects for local school facilities, alongside the approval of 8(g) statewide program budgets and future meeting schedules.

The Educator Effectiveness Committee meeting involved several key actions. The committee recommended receiving a report on program requirements for teacher and education leader preparation programs. They approved proposals for the Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate Program from Frog Street Press, Nunez Community College, and ProSolutions Training. Additionally, the committee received an update on a statewide teacher recruitment campaign and approved one-year extensions regarding educator preparation program alignment for several universities, including Grambling State University, Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge and Shreveport, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Xavier University of Louisiana, subject to specific reporting contingencies. The committee also reviewed minutes from the Teacher Certification Appeals Council, approved new appointments to the council, and granted the issuance and reinstatement of specific teaching certificates.

This document contains the unofficial minutes from the committee meeting, noting that final actions are subject to confirmation by the Board.

The document provides unofficial committee meeting minutes regarding school innovation and turnaround initiatives. It notes that these minutes require confirmation by the Board for final action.