EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 96-8

Louisiana LEARN Commission

WHEREAS: Louisiana is in need of state and local strategic planning for education for the 21st century that builds upon existing and future school reform initiatives; and

WHEREAS: every student in Louisiana must have equal access to an education that promotes high expectation and results; and

WHEREAS: greater degrees of autonomy and flexibility must be awarded to school districts, schools, and local communities to ensure the development of an educational program which best meets the needs of their students; and

WHEREAS: deregulation and restructuring must occur at the state level in order to better support the needs of local districts, schools, and communities; and

WHEREAS: greater levels of accountability must occur to ensure that every Louisiana student is receiving an appropriate education; and

WHEREAS: all existing federal, state and local educational funds must be coordinated to ensure maximum benefits from such resources; and

WHEREAS: technology must be integrated into all aspects of the educational process; and

WHEREAS: many committed citizens in Louisiana are already involved in broad-based partnerships to improve education in local communities.

NOW THEREFORE I, M. J. "MIKE" FOSTER, Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the state constitution and the laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby establish a Louisiana LEARN Commission, which shall be domiciled in the Governor's office.

SECTION 1: The Louisiana LEARN Commission shall:

  • A. Involve a bipartisan panel of Louisianians to develop policy recommendations regarding state-wide educational reform efforts, who will responsible for:

  • 1. overseeing the development of a state consolidation plan to improve education. Such a plan shall be completed by no later than June 30, 1996.

  • 2. developing recommendations regarding the implementation of key aspects of the state plan. Such implementation efforts shall include at a minimum the deregulation of state education laws and rules; the establishment of an accountability process for public schools and districts; and state and local restructuring efforts including the restructuring of the Department of Education. Such recommendations shall be completed by no later than February 1, 1997.

  • 3. overseeing the implementation of the state plan and related education reform initiatives. As appropriate, on-going recommendations shall be developed regarding adjustments to the state plan and continued implementation efforts.

  • B. Forward all recommendations to the Governor, Chairs of the Senate and House Committees on Education, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, as well as making such recommendations available to the public.
  • SECTION 2: The Louisiana LEARN Commission shall initially consist of not less than 15 members and will be expanded to include members who represent at least the following categories:

  • Governor

  • State Superintendent of Schools

  • Representatives of:

  • State Board of Education;

  • State Legislature;

  • Teachers;

  • Principals;

  • School Administrators;

  • Higher Education;

  • Teacher Organizations;

  • Parents;

  • Secondary School Students;

  • Business and Labor;

  • Community Based Organizations;

  • Local Boards of Education;

  • Local/State Officials responsible for Health, Social and other related services;

  • Non-public schools;

  • Experts in educational measurement and assessment.

    • SECTION 3: The Governor and State Superintendent may replace individuals on the commission and may add new members as appropriate.

    SECTION 4: Staff support shall be provided by the Louisiana Department of Education, as well as the Governor's office.

    SECTION 5: The provisions of this Executive order are effective upon signature and shall remain in effect until amended, modified, or rescinded by operation of law.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the City of Baton Rouge, on this 26th day of March, 1996.

    M. J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
    Governor

    ATTEST BY
    THE GOVERNOR
    Fox McKeithen
    Secretary of State