SCHOOLS: Creates the K-12 Student Success Pathways Task Force to study and make recommendations on a statewide plan for advising students on career and academic pathways in K-12 public schools.

SLS 26RS-1929 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 65
BY SENATOR EDMONDS
SCHOOLS. Creates the K-12 Student Success Pathways Task Force to study and make
recommendations on a statewide plan for advising students on career and academic pathways
in K-12 public schools.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 To create and provide for the K-12 Student Success Pathways Task Force to study and make
3 recommendations on a statewide plan for advising students on career and academic
4 pathways in K-12 public schools.
5 WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that, in order for students to
6 achieve meaningful careers after high school, they must acquire the knowledge and skills
7 necessary for success in their chosen career paths during their elementary and secondary
8 education years; and
9 WHEREAS, the preparation of students for meaningful careers is a top priority of
10 the state; and
11 WHEREAS, research shows that early and consistent academic and career counseling
12 in K-12 schools helps more students graduate, continue their education, and enter the
13 workforce prepared; and
14 WHEREAS, career counseling in elementary and high school helps students connect
15 their schoolwork to future career and academic goals; and
16 WHEREAS, studies confirm that strong academic and career counseling programs
17 are key to helping students prepare for meaningful jobs that also meet the state's workforce
18 needs; and
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1 WHEREAS, workforce data shows that many students graduate without fully
2 developed academic or career plans, thereby highlighting gaps between school career
3 counseling systems, workforce needs, and the state's education programs; and
4 WHEREAS, access to academic and career counseling varies across Louisiana,
5 leaving some students without the guidance they need; and
6 WHEREAS, Louisiana's long-term economic growth depends on preparing students
7 to be ready for both college and careers; therefore, it is important to create a coordinated
8 statewide advisory system that supports all students' academic and career goals; and
9 WHEREAS, Louisiana has made progress in strengthening college and career
10 readiness through efforts such as counselor training, the Jump Start and Fast Forward
11 programs, and the Individual Graduation Plan, all of which give students opportunities to
12 earn credentials, gain work experience, and plan for their futures; and
13 WHEREAS, as Louisiana continues to grow economically and expand its industries,
14 it is important to ensure that students are prepared to meet the needs of both existing and
15 emerging jobs, and that education and workforce systems work together to support these
16 opportunities.
17 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
18 establish and provide for the K-12 Student Success Pathways Task Force to study state
19 public school programs that advise students on career and academic pathways in K-12 public
20 schools and to propose recommendations, together with specific proposals for legislation,
21 by written report to the legislature and to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library
22 as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772, no later than January 21, 2027, for an interim report and
23 no later than January 21, 2028, for the final report.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force should include consideration of
25 all of the following:
26 (1) Examine the ideal student and family engagement progression plan, study how
27 career exploration, Individual Graduation Plans, and college planning are implemented
28 across K-12 schools, and identify best practices and areas for improvement.
29 (2) Review relevant Louisiana laws, assess their implementation, identify barriers,
30 and consider best practices from other states.
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1 (3) Evaluate career counseling staffing models to ensure schools can meet student
2 needs, including the use of external partners, so counselors can effectively support students'
3 academic and career development.
4 (4) Identify barriers to effective career counseling staffing and recommend solutions
5 to ensure all students have access to quality career counseling services.
6 (5) Develop recommendations for a statewide strategy that aligns career counseling
7 with workforce and college goals to prepare all students for success after high school.
8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall consist of the following
9 members:
10 (1) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, or his designee.
11 (2) The chairman of the House Committee on Education, or her designee.
12 (3) The state superintendent of education, or his designee, who will serve as
13 chairman.
14 (4) The commissioner of higher education, or his designee.
15 (5) The secretary of Louisiana Works, or her designee.
16 (6) The executive director of the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance,
17 or her designee.
18 (7) The president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, or his
19 designee.
20 (8) One member appointed by the governor.
21 (9) The chairman of the Louisiana School Counselors Association, or his designee.
22 (10) The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools,
23 or his designee.
24 (11) The executive director of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents,
25 or his designee.
26 (12) The executive director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, or her
27 designee.
28 (13) The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, or his
29 designee.
30 (14) The chief executive officer of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, or his designee.
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1 (15) The president of the Public Affairs Research Council, or his designee.
2 (16) The chief executive officer of YouthForce NOLA, or her designee.
3 (17) One member who is a parent of a public high school student, appointed by the
4 state superintendent of education.
5 (18) One member who is a current public high school student, appointed by the state
6 superintendent of education.
7 (19) One member who is a current public high school student, appointed by the
8 Legislative Youth Advisory Council.
9 (20) The executive director of Louisiana Kids Matter, or his designee.
10 (21) The chairman of Louisiana Associated Builders and Contractors, or his
11 designee.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each designating authority shall submit the
13 names of designees to the task force to the state superintendent of education, or his designee,
14 no later than July 15, 2026.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the task force shall convene for its first meeting no
16 later than September 1, 2026, at the call of state superintendent of education, or his designee.
17 The task force shall convene for its first meeting no later than September 1, 2026, at the call
18 of the chairman and shall meet at least quarterly.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting this study the task force may
20 request staff support from the state superintendent of education, or his designee.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the task force shall constitute a
22 quorum for the transaction of business. All official actions of the task force shall require the
23 affirmative vote of a majority of the members.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
25 without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
26 individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on the date of the
28 submission of its final report or January 21, 2028, whichever occurs first.
29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
30 state superintendent of education, the commissioner of higher education, the secretary of
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1 Louisiana Works, the executive director of the Louisiana Office of Student Financial
2 Assistance, the president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, the
3 governor, the chair of the Louisiana School Counselors Association, the executive director
4 of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, the executive director of the
5 Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, the executive director of the Louisiana
6 School Boards Association, the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and
7 Industry, the chief executive officer of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, the president of the
8 Public Affairs Research Council, the president of YouthForce NOLA, and the Legislative
9 Youth Advisory Council.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Senate Legislative Services.
The keyword, summary, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof
or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
DIGEST
SCR 65 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Edmonds
Creates and provides for the K-12 Student Success Pathways Task Force to study and make
recommendations on a statewide plan for advising students on career and academic pathways
in K-12 public schools.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill
1. Adds two members to the task force.
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