State leaders in Louisiana have established a solid foundation for high school transformation through policies that empower school systems to award credit toward graduation based on demonstrations of proficiency, not just seat time. In addition, leaders have taken steps to ensure that students are prepared for a changing labor market by prioritizing workforce development opportunities in high school.
The Jump Start program, launched in 2014, allows students to pursue a career diploma by earning industry-based credentials aligned with high-wage, high-demand sectors. To incentivize student participation in the program, schools receive credit under the state accountability system based on the number and type of credentials students earn.
Beyond Jump Start, Louisiana enables work-based learning opportunities for high school students by supporting their access to internships, apprenticeships, and co-ops that connect classroom instruction to career pathways. The state encourages partnerships between high schools, community colleges, and employers to ensure curriculum relevance and meaningful internship experiences for students.
To further support these efforts, Louisiana’s state leaders could consider developing a state Portrait of a Graduate that reflects the broad set of competencies that all high school graduates should have by the time they leave high school. State leaders could also explore opportunities to launch a statewide initiative with dedicated resources to incentivize community-led high school redesign.
