In the classroom: The Louisiana Department of Education is soliciting public input on new science education standards that will replace current grade-level expectations in public school classrooms. The department announced in a news release today the launch of the Louisiana Student Standards Review Portal, where the public can get a first look at the initial draft of the proposed standards and submit feedback on their content and relevancy in preparing students for college or careers. Comments can be submitted through the portal until Jan. 6. Two workgroups—consisting of more than 80 educators, business leaders and science community members—spent more than 4,000 hours since August developing new K-12 science standards. All feedback will be shared with the workgroups, which will review the comments and revise the standards accordingly. A final draft will be presented to the department’s Standards Review Committee on Jan. 25 and to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in March. Get more information.
Frank discussion: The Urban League of Louisiana is inviting Metro Council runoff candidates to take part in a free town hall meeting on criminal justice reform in Baton Rouge. The event will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 6 in the Louisiana Board Room at Baton Rouge Community College in Mid City. The town hall kicks off a series of conversations aimed at finding local solutions in criminal justice and police reform. Community members will have the chance to submit questions for the candidates prior to the event. Attorney Chris Tyson will moderate. The invited candidates are: Ulysses “Bones” Addison and Chauna Banks (District 2); Linda Dewey and Erika L. Green (District 5); LaMont Cole and Elvin Sterling Jr. (District 7); Dwight Hudson and Kenneth Perret (District 9); Lorri Burgess and Tara Wicker (District 10); and Barbara Freiberg and Rose “Ree” Williams Carey (District 12).
Overcoming barriers: Mary Bird Perkins—Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center has been selected to participate in a project with the Association of Community Cancer Centers to address disparities in cancer care for vulnerable populations. According to a news release, the cancer center will serve as a development site to help lay the foundation for the ACCC Optimal Care Coordination Model for Lung Cancer Patients. The model seeks to overcome social, financial and institutional barriers to care for vulnerable patient populations. Mary Bird Perkins—Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center is one of five cancer programs throughout the country selected to participate in the three-year project, funded by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation. Get more information.
