Governor Landry Issues LEAP Appeals Executive Order

January 11, 2024

LaCAN Action Alert - Governor Landry Issues LEAP Appeals Executive Order

Do you think Louisiana should join the other 49 states and allow for an appeal process when a student fails an End of Course (EOC) test needed for graduation?

On January 8, 2024, newly elected Governor Landry, by Executive Order, vetoed the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (BESE) new policy establishing an appeals process for qualifying high school seniors who do not meet the state’s LEAP test scoring requirement for graduation.

Louisiana is one of only eight states that require students to pass a standardized test to graduate high school and is the only state that does not allow students to appeal a failed EOC test. To earn their diploma, students must continue to take the test until they pass. In reality, these students get frustrated, humiliated, and eventually drop out! Unfortunately, the evidence shows that such tests actually decrease student motivation. It prevents Louisiana students who would otherwise graduate from joining the workforce, attending college or enlisting in the military. This leads to an overwhelming increase in the dependency of welfare programs.

While The April Dunn Act (2014) allows for students with disabilities with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to graduate through an alternative pathway, there are many students with disabilities who do not have an IEP that struggle to pass EOC tests due to their disability.

Rather than investing in substantial efforts to improve teaching and learning, Louisiana has created a system that values EOC testing as the cure for our problems. These tests may have a place in our attempts to improve schools, but the inflated role they currently play represents our inability to create deeper reforms to move us away from a one-size-fits-all approach. EOC tests fail to account for differences between students such as language deficiencies, learning disabilities, difficult home lives, or varying knowledge of US cultural conventions.

The Council, LaCAN and other advocacy groups like the Arc of Louisiana are encouraging everyone in the disability community impacted by the Executive Order to reach out to Governor Landry and his appointed BESE members.

How to Take Action

Email or call Governor Landry’s office and his three appointed BESE members by Tuesday, January 16^th.

· Governor Jeff Landry - Email the Governor or 225-342-7015 / 866-366-1121

· Conrad Appel - SBESE@la.gov or 225-342-5840

· Dr. Judy Armstrong - SBESE@la.gov or 225-342-5840

· Simone Champagne - SBESE@la.gov or 225-342-5840

With your comments, please include your name, address, phone number, email address and the issue you are addressing: Veto of Graduation Appeals Process Executive Order Number JML -24-01.

Find out more about LaCAN and read more action alerts on their website: www.lacanadvocates.org

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Thank You for Making Active for Autism 2025 a Huge Success!

May 13, 2025

We’re still smiling from Active for Autism 2025 — and it’s all thanks to YOU! Whether you walked, ran, sponsored, volunteered, donated, or simply cheered us on, you helped make this year’s event one of the most impactful yet. Thanks to your incredible support, we raised $ 87,153.43 (and counting!) , marking a 24 % increase from last year. Every dollar goes directly toward programs and services that inform, support, and connect families of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities across our community. The energy on event day was unmatched — from families walking hand-in-hand, to kids enjoying the Fun Fest, to teams showing up in vibrant shirts and big smiles. Your presence showed the true power of community. We are beyond grateful to our: Participants who showed up with passion and purpose Sponsors who helped make the event possible Vendors who brought fun and resources to the day Donors who gave generously Volunteers who offered their time, heart, and hands A Special Thank You to Our Co-Sponsors We are especially thankful for our co-sponsors whose generous support elevated this event: Enbridge, 100.7 The Tiger, and Ochsner’s Children’s . Your partnership helped amplify our mission and impact. Thank you for standing with us! Thank You to All Our Sponsors We are grateful to all of our sponsors who make this event possible year after year. Your generosity directly supports families and individuals in our community. 2025 Active for Autism Sponsors: Presenting Platinum Sponsors: Enbridge, 100.7 The Tiger, and Ochsner Children’s Hospital Gold Sponsors: REV, The Nirel Group Foundation Silver Sponsors: Olivier Group, Behavior Intervention Group, Louisiana Blue, Hood Container Corporation, and Mayor-President Sid Edwards Bronze Sponsors: BREC, Associates in Pediatric Dentistry, Wampold Companies, ACE Enterprises Inc., Ascent Behavior Therapy Center, Williams Photography, and Maughan Law Firm Patron Sponsors: BearCom of Baton Rouge, Gulf South Autism Center, The Baton Rouge Clinic AMC, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, Mercy Autism Center, Kidder & Schultz CPA LLC Governmental Supporters : State Senator Regina Barrow, Iberville Parish, and West Baton Rouge Parish Together, we’re making real change — not just during this event, but every day of the year. 📅 Mark your calendar : Active for Autism 2026 will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026 . We can’t wait to celebrate and walk alongside you again. From all of us at Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge: Thank you for helping us keep families informed, supported, and connected. We are families helping families. That’s what we do. That’s who we are.

Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge Hosts Annual Active for Autism 5K Run/Walk & Family Fun Fest on April 26, 2025

By Chanell Thomas • April 2, 2025