Latest news with #LDOE
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Audit of Louisiana Department of Education finds issues with payroll policy compliance
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — An audit of the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) found failures in compliance with payroll policies and procedures and state property regulations. According to the report, 14% of 13,937 timesheets processed between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, were approved by supervisors between one and 470 days after the payroll posting date. Auditors said failures in following payroll procedures increase the risk of errors or fraud. A recommendation from auditors encouraged management to provide supervisory oversight to make sure employees comply with policies and procedures. In a response, LDOE agreed with the findings and said its human resources director and payroll manager would implement an action plan that includes sending reminders to employees. Auditors recommended supervisory oversight after identifying a failure in state property regulation compliance. The report said this could result in inaccurate financial reporting and increase the risk that assets could be misreported, lost, or stolen. LDOE's policy and the Louisiana Administrative Code require all movable property with an acquired cost of $1,000 or more to be tagged and inventory information sent to the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency within 60 calendar days. LDOE agreed with the auditors' findings, explaining that the processing of assets was 'challenging' after a surge in inventory, resulting in a backlog and causing submission delays. The department said it would add staffing, implement a streamlined procedure, offer training, conduct audits, and communicate with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's office. Audit of Livingston Parish School Board found misappropriated funds Smoke from Canadian wildfires to affect air quality, visibility in parts of US: What to know Kenner Police make third arrest in connection to drugging death of news reporter Supreme Court allows Trump to revoke Biden's parole program; Sotomayor, Jackson issue scathing dissent BREC Commission appoints interim superintendent Think your return to the office was rough? Elon Musk faces big challenges Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana K-3 students improve reading skills, LDOE reports
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Literacy screener results show that Louisiana students in grades K-3 have improved reading during the school year. The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) said end-of-year results showed a 17-point increase in the percentage of students reading on or above grade level. This was the second year that students K-3 were required to complete literacy screeners. 'Strong teachers, sound policy, and strategic investments have resulted in historic education outcomes for Louisiana,' said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. 'We're proud of the progress, but far from satisfied. I'm pleased with the work of teachers in partnership with parents to prompt this growth.' Results show growth: Kindergarten: 33-point growth First grade: 19-point growth Second grade: 11-point growth Third grade: eight-point growth See the finalists for Louisiana teacher, principal of the year Louisiana education leaders credit students' reading improvement to its literacy plan using phonics, high-dosage tutoring, and parent engagement efforts. All public schools are required to complete literacy screeners for K-3. A policy requiring third graders to meet promotion requirements is used to identify students who need more reading help. LDOE said students have three chances to show their reading proficiency by scoring above the lowest achievement level. Gov. Jeff Landry celebrates as Louisiana students' rankings move up in Nation's Report Card Louisiana joined Arkansas and North Carolina in states taking action on all 18 of ExcelinEd's principles in a national comparison of comprehensive early literacy policy released in 2024. LDOE announced in February that the state ranked first in reading recovery from 2019 to 2024 on the Education Recovery Scorecard. According to a news release, an analysis found that pandemic relief contributed to academic recovery, specifically when directed to summer learning and tutoring. The state received $4 billion for K-12 schools. Baton Rouge bids final farewell to former mayor Kip Holden 1 dead, 1 hurt after car crashes into Bayou Plaquemine in Iberville Parish Addis native John Foster shares journey after 'American Idol' Who were the victims of the shooting outside the DC Jewish Museum? GOP campaign arm tells Republicans to 'go on offense' messaging Trump agenda bill Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Caddo Parish student named overall Louisiana Student of the Year for elementary school
A Caddo Parish student was recognized as an overall honoree for the 2025 Student of the Year. The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) announced Friday, May 16, that Mary Mack Thornton was named the elementary school Louisiana Student of the Year. "These students have distinguished themselves through exceptional academic performance, leadership, and service," said Louisiana Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. "They are proof that hard work and high expectations yield extraordinary results." Thornton is a fifth grader at Eden Gardens Elementary School and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. She is also a well-rounded student who shines in the classroom, on the playing field and through her artistic interests. Thornton is known as a natural leader and has a deep love for reading. She is aspiring to be an otolaryngologist like her father and is very passionate about childhood health and physical fitness. 'Today, we honor not only academic excellence, but the promise these students hold for Louisiana's future,' BESE President Ronnie Morris said. 'Their talent, leadership and drive inspire confidence in the next generation of Louisiana's leaders.' Each year the LDOE selects regional honorees based on criteria that measure academic achievement, leadership, character and service to their schools and communities. Selection committees also evaluate electronic portfolios, student writing samples and conduct interviews to assess communication and critical thinking skills. All 24 honorees were celebrated at an awards ceremony May 16 at The Cook Hotel and Conference Center in Baton Rouge. And only three students were selected as the overall Louisiana Student of the Year. More: Check out three students from northwest Louisiana who were named honorees for Student of the Year Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Caddo student named Louisiana Student of the Year for elementary
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vermilion Parish girl named middle school Student of the Year in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE, La. () — A Vermilion Parish girl has been named Louisiana middle school Student of the Year, the has announced. Rylann Renee Viator is an eighth grader at . According to the announcement, Viator has consistently maintained honor roll status and is a well-rounded student excelling in academics, athletics and the arts. She is an active volunteer and serves as a leader in the student council, Junior Beta Club, and 4-H, where she earned first place in public speaking. Viator is especially passionate about promoting the responsible use of social media among her peers. LDOE named three 2025 Students of the Year and honored 24 regional finalists during a ceremony at The Cook Hotel and Conference Center in Baton Rouge on Friday. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The other honorees are fifth grader Mary Mack Thornton from Caddo Parish and 12th grader Neal Pramod Tandon from Jefferson Parish. 'Each of these students have distinguished themselves through exceptional academic performance, leadership, and service,' said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. 'They are proof that hard work and high expectations yield extraordinary results.' According to LDOE, students are selected based on criteria that measure academic achievement, leadership, character, and service to their schools and communities. Selection committees also evaluate electronic portfolios, student writing samples, and conduct interviews to assess communication and critical thinking skills. Spending bill stalls in Congress Internal document warns 'FEMA is not ready' for hurricane season Tariffs are affecting port traffic Lawmakers say new legislation is needed to educate the public about artificial intelligence Trump World has tough case with Comey over 'assassination' message Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Work-based learning, truancy summit, LA GATOR top items during BESE meeting
BATON ROUGE, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education held its meeting Wednesday morning. While the future of Linwood Elementary was not directly addressed, many other education topics were. During his reporting, Louisiana State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley said that work-based learning in the form of available internships and apprenticeships is lagging in Louisiana compared to other states. He said the availability of those resources is a vital element in helping students get hands-on workforce experience. For comparison, Brumley said accessible work-based learning is 20% in Georgia, 25% in Tennessee, and below 5% in Louisiana. He says more opportunities need to be created between industry and the department to increase the availability of these programs. Louisiana rolls out new 'transparency' tool highlighting spending at public, charter schools Another issue at the forefront for BESE members and the state superintendent is taking a more proactive role in addressing truancy. Brumley said LDOE will commit three staff members to oversee truancy as part of the department's operations division. Brumley said the department will place 'additional emphasis on attendance, committing a small group of individuals to address the issue,' similarly to the hyper-focus LDOE placed on statewide improvements in Math and ELA. BESE's annual Teacher Leader Summit is slated for June. Part of the summit will include a 'truancy summit' which will bring together district attorneys, members of the judicial branch, and school leaders for three sessions on June 12. The sessions will share best practices for schools, school districts, and Family in Need of Services (FINS), a specialty court that works with families to remedy issues with early judicial intervention to prevent delinquency and child abuse. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry addresses teachers after failed amendment There was also a presentation about the LA GATOR school choice scholarship program. The LDOE believes that interest in accessing the $93 million earmarked by Governor Landry will exceed the allotted amount. The funding applications are being accepted until April 15, 2025, and submitted through Odyssey, a digital marketplace that aids states in administering school choice programs like LA GATOR. Families apply through Odyssey, which manages funding and connects them with educational resources, including tuition, tutoring, and expenses. Brumley noted to board members that the program would not begin without the legislature approving the $1.9 million contract, allowing the vendor to manage the account, noting that the state's current voucher program will sunset in June. 'The current vendor program ends June 30. If the vendor contract is not approved, we don't have a program,' Brumley said. BESE Board general and committee meetings can be viewed live on YouTube or on demand. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
