BESE approves plan to improve internship opportunities for Louisiana students

Keymonte Avery
·2 min read

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved a plan to change the way they measure K-12 school performance.

The plan would improve work-based learning for high school students in Louisiana. It would raise the standard for quality education in Louisiana, according to a release from BESE. The system would reflect the earned experience. It would reward schools for improving programs and partnering with corporations.

Internships and apprenticeships are a form of work-based learning. They give students a chance to get hands-on training from professionals. In the plan, schools will dedicate 20% to classroom learning. This learning will focus on soft skills. The other 80% will go toward hands-on experiences.

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“When I work as a substitute teacher, students ask if BESE can make school more relevant,” said BESE President Ronnie Morris. “This week the Board responded unanimously to that question, alongside a bold commitment from the Louisiana business community. BESE recognized the value of internships and apprenticeships with employer compensation as relevant learning experiences in the state’s accountability system, and these on-the-job experiences will pair well with high school financial literacy course requirements, benefiting students, employers and communities.”

BESE approved another policy that affects the school’s point system. Starting in 2026, school performance scores will give extra points to students who did an internship or apprenticeship. They will get five points, for a maximum of 160.

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“Louisiana is elevating the value of career education and giving students more opportunities to graduate high school with skills in high-value trades,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “BESE’s actions will benefit students, our economy, and our state.”

“Businesses are looking for skilled labor and are willing to invest in Louisiana students,” said Morris. “Internships and Registered Apprenticeships not only benefit students by introducing them to workplace experiences and expectations but fortify the talent pipeline in our state as well. This leads to a more skilled homegrown workforce and increased economic development.”

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