GOV EDWARDS COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT RULING - Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has weighed in on the U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action, the ruling bars universities from considering race a factor for admitting students. Edwards released a statement late yesterday and it reads partially: “ All colleges and universities are better and stronger because of their diversity, and having students from all backgrounds enriches the experiences of everyone. That is why increased diversity should always be our goal. “
Edwards also said that while the court’s decision may weaken that effort across the nation, the fact is that here in Louisiana all qualified students are admitted to public universities and community and technical colleges. And that Louisiana remains committed to expanding educational opportunities for everyone.
LOUISIANA PROSPERS - Getting a college degree or completing a credentialed program can be the first step in launching a successful career as such an achievement can open up more employment opportunities for getting a better paying job. Yet many adults both young and old lack the certificates as they may have had disruptions forcing a hold on their academic pursuits or they lacked the academic supports to succeed. Back in August 2019, The Louisiana Board of Regents adopted a plan to increase the number of students to complete degrees or receive certifications. Speaking this week at the Baton Rouge Press Club, Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana commissioner of higher education explained the goal of the program.
“So our work is to make sure that 60% of Louisiana’s population, at least 60% have a credential value by 2030,” Reed said. “To get there, we have to more than double the number of credentials in our state.”
But right after it was launched in late 2019 the Louisiana Prospers initiative was dealt a one-two punch of disruptions. Louisiana was impacted by several major storms and hurricanes and more than 2 years of the Covid-19 Pandemic which disrupted education at all levels. On top of that, funding for education in Louisiana lagged behind other states. But Reed said recent increase in legislative support for allocating education funding is a welcome change.
“But we are grateful for two years of historic investment and the momentum that that brings and the message that it sends that education is a worthy investment,” Reed said.
Reed said a “Big Tent” approach is necessary to achieve higher ed goals starting with funding Early Childhood Development programs, K-through 12 and vocational technical training as well as two and four year degree programs. She also expressed a need to reach out to students who may have not had the supports needed to succeed in pursuing higher education. She also highlighted a need for addressing the state’s backlog of deferred maintenance and said about 70% of state buildings are on school campuses throughout the state.
