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The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (the State Board) is responsible for the assurance of a free appropriate public education to all students with disabilities - ages three through twenty-one years, including students with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school - and, at the discretion of the local educational agency (LEA) and with parental consent, to students with disabilities before age three years if their third birthday occurs during the school year.

This report, which focuses on education in Louisiana, gives the results of research on various education issues in Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states and provides information on how southern states collect and use different education-related data. The article discusses education costs and revenues, as well as how financial, student, and teacher data are transmitted from local school districts to state departments of education. The methodology for collecting data involved contacting officials from SREB states to identify and to request reports similar to Louisiana's Annual Financial and Statistical Report. The reports were reviewed and officials from SREB states were interviewed to determine sources of education revenue and reveal the types of education expenditures for each SREB state. The findings revolve around 11 central questions, such as "what percent of education dollars in SREB states comes from federal, state, and local funding"? and "how are education costs broken out in SREB states"? Findings show that most SREB states operated their education system similar to the Louisiana Department of Education. Common themes emerged as related to education costs, revenue sources, teacher certification, and the definition of "at risk" students. Like Louisiana, SREB states rely heavily on local schools and districts to submit reliable and valid data. (RJM)

This report provides an overview of education in Louisiana. The study on which the report is based on detailed examinations of financial and statistical data in nine individual school districts, covering the years 1996 to 1999. The study found that some key financial data were inaccurate and, in some cases, not even available. It examined the cost per student for each category of expenditure, finding these to be around $5,454 for 1997 and $5,758 for 1998. The study also looked at instructional expenditures and examined whether schools are providing the legally mandated number of instructional minutes. The study explored teacher certification and asked about the various teacher certifications and authorizations to teach. The study also investigated whether teachers are teaching subjects in which they are certified, finding that at least 75 percent of teachers in five districts are teaching subjects in which they are certificated. The review found that some districts have nonclassroom teachers coded as classroom teachers. It looked at teachers', principals', and assistant principals' compensation and found some errors in remuneration. The report provides information on enrollment and students, class sizes, student-to-teacher ratios, free and reduced-price meals served in each district, student performance on standardized tests, and what districts do to avoid lawsuits. Seven appendices present school districts' response to the report and other information. (RJM)

This handbook provides Louisiana educators with information on the special needs of migrant children, the lawful obligations of Louisiana schools to address those needs, and the types of assistance available through the Migrant Education Program and other resources. To meet the needs of at-risk migrant students, the Louisiana Department of Education makes subgrants to school districts and other agencies to deliver special services under the Title I Migrant Education Program, as authorized by the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994. According to the specific definitions for the Title I Program, migrant children and youth are ages 3 through 21 and have moved across school district lines within the past 3 years, alone or with a parent or guardian who is seeking temporary or seasonal work in an agricultural or fishing activity. Children in Louisiana's Migrant Education Program have been identified by a Migrant Education recruiter and are formally enrolled in the program. Information on the needs and rights of migrant children is given, as well as information for dealing with children who do not speak English or who have limited English proficiency. Services provided by the Migrant Education Program are listed. The handbook includes telephone numbers for contacting migrant education programs within the state. School systems by assigned area are also listed. (CDS)

This bulletin outlines the requirements for certification as a teacher, administrator, or ancillary staff member for the public schools of the state of Louisiana. The following areas are covered: (1) approved teacher education programs and application for certificates; (2) types of certificates; (3) minimum requirements for early childhood teachers; (4) minimum requirements for elementary teachers; (5) minimum requirements for secondary teachers; (6) minimum requirements for all teachers (grades K-12); (7) requirements for teachers of exceptional children; (8) qualifications for administrators, supervisors, and special service personnel; (9) standards for ancillary school personnel; and (10) standards for certification of vocational-technical personnel (secondary). (JD)

The first section of the document covers the state regulations on school personnel certification in Louisiana. Requirements are outlined for the following areas: (1) approved teacher education programs and application for certification; (2) types of certificates; (3) early childhood education certification; (4) elementary teacher certification; (5) secondary teacher certification; (6) minimum requirements for teachers at all levels; and (7) certification of ancillary personnel. The second section of the document sets forth certification standards for vocational and technical personnel in the schools. (JD)

This document provides the 5-year (1997-2001) library plan for public libraries in Louisiana. It seeks to identify specific inadequacies in public library services, resources, facilities, and personnel. It also identifies the people who are to be served, and reveals geographical, sociological, economic, and educational barriers to the expanded use of libraries. Finally, it presents plans of action to overcome both inadequacies and barriers, whether in the physical plant, in information provision, or in services to demographic groups. Topics include: (1) administration; (2) areas without services; (3) areas with inadequate services, such as staffing, collection, materials selection policy, audiovisual holdings, administrative certification, community information, and drug prevention information; (4) literacy programs; (5) access and services to the handicapped; (6) strengthening the State Library Administrative Agency; (7) urban resource libraries; (8) national/regional resources centers; (9) service to limited speakers of English and to senior citizens; (10) construction; (11) library networks; and (12) preservation. Appendices include the Louisiana State Library organization chart, maps depicting areas with inadequate service and urban vs. rural areas, a list of members in the Library Services and Construction Act (LCSA) State Advisory Council on Libraries, and LSCA criteria, priorities, procedures, and policies. (Author/AEF)

This long-range library program for the state of Louisiana identifies specific inadequacies in public library services, resources, facilities, and personnel. It identifies the people who are to be served, and reveals geographical, socioeconomic, and educational barriers to the expanded use of libraries. Finally, it presents specific goals and objectives as part of an overall plan to overcome both inadequacies and barriers in the state's public libraries. It also highlights the activities of the Louisiana State Library and its administration of Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) funds, but its focus is on the challenge of improving library service to all citizens in the state. A 5-year program designed to meet that challenge is described, including plans for programs of public library construction, training of library personnel, interlibrary cooperation, and shared resources programs. It is noted that LSCA funds enable the State Library to provide special programs reaching the handicapped, the illiterate, the institutionalized, the aged, the limited English-speaking minorities, and others. Appended materials contain an organization chart of the Louisiana State Library; 10 maps depicting various demographic factors; a list of the members of the LSCA State Advisory Council on Libraries, and a statement of LSCA criteria, priorities, procedures, and policies. (MAB)

This long-range program results from the combined efforts of the State Library staff, the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Administrative Librarian, Louisiana librarians, the Library Development Committee of Louisiana, and a number of other formal and informal planning groups within the state. The program includes: (1) an assessment of the general population and environments of Louisiana with corresponding library service needs; (2) an assessment of the status and library needs of special populations identified in LSCA legislation, including the disadvantaged, institutionalized, blind and physically handicapped, and persons with limited English speaking ability; (3) an assessment of major library programs throughout the state, including criteria of adequacy, status, and needs; and (4) a plan of action with measurable objectives to meet identified needs over the next five years. This publication identifies specific inadequacies in public library services, resources, facilities and personnel; it identifies the people who are to be served; and it reveals geographical, sociological, economic, and educational barriers to the expanded use of libraries. Finally, it presents specific goals and objectives as part of an overall plan to overcome both inadequacies and barriers. (KM)

This long-range program results from the combined efforts of the State Library staff, the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Administrative Librarian, Louisiana librarians, the Library Development Committee of Louisiana, and a number of other formal and informal planning groups within the state. The program includes: (1) an assessment of the general population and environments of Louisiana with corresponding library service needs; (2) an assessment of the status of library needs of special populations identified in LSCA legislation, including the disadvantaged, institutionalized, blind and physically handicapped, and persons with limited-English speaking ability; (3) an assessment of major library programs throughout the state, including criteria of adequacy, status, and needs; and (4) a plan of action with measurable objectives to meet identified needs over the next 5 years. This publication identifies specific inadequacies in public library services, resources, facilities and personnel; it identifies the people who are to be served; and it reveals geographical, sociological, economic, and educational barriers to the expanded use of libraries. (THC)

The document specifies Louisiana's plan for special education in fiscal years 1984-86 as required by P.L. 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act. The document lists policies, procedures, and descriptions of the state's special education efforts, including the full educational opportunities goal, child identification, individualized education program, procedural safeguards, least restrictive environment, protection in evaluation procedures, comprehensive system of personnel development, participation of private school children, placement in private schools, recovery of funds for misclassified children, annual evaluation, responsibility of the state education agency (SEA) for all education programs, state monitoring procedures, direct services by the SEA, public participation, confidentiality, and information on how part B funds will be used (state and local allocations). (CL)

The booklet presents Louisiana's regulations for implementing state special education legislation. Nine topic areas are addressed: (1) responsibilities of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (free appropriate public education, state advisory council); (2) responsibilities of the Superintendent of Public Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Education (personnel certification, competency-based assessment program); (3) responsibilities and activities of the Office of Special Educational Services (general supervision, monitoring, complaint management, investigation); (4) responsibilities of city and parish school boards, Special School District #1, and state special schools (child identification, individual evaluation, Individualized Education Program, placement requirements, administrative matters of city/parish systems); (5) procedural safeguards (confidentiality, rights of exceptional children, surrogate parents); (6) establishment and operation of Special School District #1 (jurisdiction, enrollment, financing); (7) responsibilities of state board special school and nonpublic schools administrative organization, enrollment, approved nonpublic schools); (8) interagency agreements (purpose, types, mandatory contents); and (9) definitions (79 terms). Appended materials address State Equalization Fund Minimum Foundation rules and staff ratios. (CL)

The long-range program presented in this document results from the combined efforts of the State Library staff, the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Administrative Librarian, Louisiana librarians, the Library Development Committee of Louisiana, and a number of other formal and informal planning groups within the state. The program includes: (1) an assessment of the general population and environments of Louisiana with corresponding library service needs; (2) an assessment of the status and library needs of special populations identified in LSCA legislation, including the disadvantaged, institutionalized, blind and physically handicapped, and persons with limited-English speaking ability; (3) an assessment of major library programs throughout the state, including criteria of adequacy, status, and needs; and (4) a plan of action with measurable objectives to meet identified needs over the next five years. This publication identifies specific inadequacies in public library services, resources, facilities and personnel; it identifies the people who are to be served; and it reveals the geographical, sociological, economic, and educational barriers to the expanded use of libraries. Finally, it presents specific goals and objectives as part of an overall plan to overcome both inadequacies and barriers. (KM)

This publication serves several purposes. It identifies specific inadequacies in public library services, resources, facilities, and personnel in Louisiana. It identifies the people who are to be served, and reveals the geographical, sociological, economic, and educational barriers to the expanded use of libraries. Finally, it presents specific goals and objectives as part of an overall plan to overcome both inadequacies and barriers in the state's public libraries. It also highlights the activities of the Louisiana State Library and its administration of Library Service and Construction Act (LSCA) funds, but its focus is on the challenge of improving library services to all citizens of the state. A 5-year program designed to meet that challenge is described, including plans for programs of public library construction, training of library personnel, interlibrary cooperation, and shared resources programs. It is noted that LSCA funds enable the State Library to provide special programs reaching the handicapped, the illiterate, the institutionalized, the aged, the limited English-speaking minorities, and others. Appended materials contain an organization chart of the Louisiana State Library; 10 maps depicting various demographic factors; a list of the members of the LSCA State Advisory Council on Libraries; and a statement of LSCA criteria, priorities, procedures, and policies. (SD)