Elyse Carmosino

2 weeks ago | nola.com | Elyse Carmosino

Louisiana lawmakers want schools to serve more locally made, nutritious meals and get rid of highly processed products, as they join the Trump administration in pushing for healthier food options. An assortment of bills and resolutions making their way through the state Legislature aim to reshape Louisiana food policies to align with U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s "Make America Healthy Again” agenda, which seeks to reduce chronic illness and obesity.

2 weeks ago | nola.com | Elyse Carmosino

Early education advocates made a plea to Louisiana lawmakers Tuesday to restore nearly $9 million for child care and preschool that was cut from the state budget last year, arguing that the funding is crucial to Louisiana’s educational and economic future. The ask comes as the state tries to reduce its spending, with a proposed budget for next fiscal year that is about $440 million less than the current year.

2 weeks ago | nola.com | Elyse Carmosino

A Louisiana lawmaker wants the state to explore alternatives to the standardized test students take each year. Senate Bill 105 by Sen. Mark Abraham, R-Lake Charles, initially called for the state to replace the LEAP test with a national assessment beginning in the 2026-27 school year. A task force of representatives from different education organizations, including teachers, principals and superintendents, would choose which national test to use.

3 weeks ago | nola.com | Elyse Carmosino

Lawmakers scrapped an idea to raise TOPS scholarship rates at most public colleges in Louisiana after the plan, which would have also lowered the amount students at LSU’s main campus receive, drew concerns over cost.

3 weeks ago | govtech.com | Elyse Carmosino

When used properly, AI can open up opportunities for students and give teachers a new set of tools to get kids engaged in learning, said Leslie Eaves, director of project-based learning at the Southern Regional Education Board, a nonprofit that works to improve education in the region. The group recently released a new guide for educators on how to get the most out of AI, which allows computers to perform complex tasks like reasoning, decision-making and creating.