The State Board must create an advisement policy for middle and high school grades, and the state Department of Education must provide counselor training and related materials.
§2926. Student counseling; training and professional development A. The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop an advisement policy for the middle and high school grades that local school districts can use to equip school counselors with the skills and information needed to: (1) Help students identify their goals and assist students and their parents in developing and revising individualized graduation plans. (2) Ensure that all students receive the assistance they need to stay in school, achieve at the expected levels, and fulfill the high school graduation requirements for their chosen major. (3) Ensure that students know about high-demand, high-wage jobs in the state and in their region and know how to access Louisiana Works' information on high-demand, high-wage jobs. (4) Inform and assist students and their parents in the selection and scheduling of advanced courses and early college opportunities, such as dual enrollment, advanced placement, Cambridge, or international baccalaureate courses, as educational options. B.(1) The state Department of Education shall provide professional development and in-service training opportunities to school counselors regarding development of individual graduation plans. (2) Such activities shall provide: (a) Information relative to high-demand, high-skill, high-wage job opportunities that require a certification, or postsecondary associate or baccalaureate degree and how a combination of rigorous academic and career-technical education courses can prepare students for these fields. (b) A demonstration on how to access information on Louisiana Works' website that allows students to search for high-demand, high-wage jobs and information regarding the postsecondary education training provided in Louisiana relative to such jobs. C. The state Department of Education shall develop materials regarding high school curriculum frameworks, graduation requirements, and relevant postsecondary education and career opportunities. The materials shall be provided to each school for use in the annual meeting with parents and legal guardians required by R.S. 17:2925. Acts 2009, No. 257, §1, eff. July 1, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 861, §8; Acts 2020, No. 238, §1, eff. June 11, 2020; Acts 2021, No. 275, §4; Acts 2021, No. 458, §1, eff. June 23, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 209, §1.