Standing Committees The Board operates through a system of standing committees, each of which considers issues related to a special subject matter. An item is placed on the appropriate agenda for standing committees, special committees, and advisory councils by action of the full Board. The committees and their charges are as follows: (Note: For missing chairpersons/vice-chairpersons/members, the names of BESE members will be added when new committee assignments are made in early 2008.)

8(g) Charge: To allocate funds to any or all constitutional categories to enhance elementary and secondary education; to consider all administrative matters of the 8(g) program; and to establish expectations of academic excellence and require accountability of performance. 8(g) Committee Membership: Chair: Mr. Walter Lee Vice-Chair: TBA Member: TBA

Accountability and Assessment Charge: To consider all matters relating to student, school, and district accountability; to consider all student assessment issues; to determine necessary student and school level interventions based on assessment results of established assessment; to coordinate resources for school improvement; to monitor the performance of student and schools; to align the school approval process with the accountability system; and to provide for remediation related to high stakes testing. Accountability and Assessment Committee Membership: Chair: TBA Vice-Chair: TBA Member: TBA

Board Administration/Relations Charge: To improve the credibility and visibility of the Board and communicate the problems and needs of education through activities of the Board and Superintendent, Department, and Regional Service Centers; to consider routine administrative matters of the Board; to administer the Superintendent’s evaluation; to receive updates on the benefits of the Department’s reorganization; to consider program and personnel issues impacting the state Special Schools; to develop policies and procedures for charter school approval and implementation; and to administer loan fund activities of charter schools. Board Administration/Relations Committee Membership: Chair: Ms. Glenny Lee Buquet Vice-Chair: TBA Member: TBA

Finance/Audit Review Charge: To provide for a budget process; to annually develop and adopt a formula to equitably allocate education funds to parish and city school systems; to formally review operational plans developed by BESE, SDE, and Special Schools prior to submission to the Office of Planning and Budget; to approve grant allocations; to grant budget approval and any revisions for the SDE, BESE, Special Schools, and local districts; to review and approve all contracts and leases with agencies under its jurisdiction; to review and address SDE, BESE, and Special Schools audit reports and plans to correct irregularities; to consider payment of invoices submitted for approval; and to serve as liaison with the LCTCS Board to oversee the administration of Carl Perkins funds. Finance/Audit Review Committee Membership: Chair: TBA Vice-Chair: TBA Member: TBA

Legal/Due Process Charge: To consider legal issues and matters of litigation; to serve as an "administrative court of last resort” prior to adjudication in the judicial court system (usually revocation/reinstatement of teaching certificates, employee grievances involving property rights, and all due process matters); and to approve nonpublic schools in compliance with Brumfield v. Dodd. Legal/Due Process Committee Membership: Chair: Mr. Dale Bayard Vice-Chair: Ms. Louella Givens Member: TBA

Legislative/Policy Oversight Charge: To study the impact of current and proposed state and federal legislation; to identify the Board’s role in new legislation; to develop position statements and/or white papers on education related legislation pending before the Legislature and to develop committee/floor strategies for proposed legislation; to draft legislative education reform recommendations; and to receive reports/studies on program results and/or evaluations of grant allocations to local systems. Legislative/Policy Oversight Committee Membership: Chair: Ms. Louella Givens Vice-Chair: Mr. Dale Bayard Member: TBA

Quality Educators Charge: To make recommendations regarding teacher certification standards, including course studies and teacher licensing tests; to consider waivers and/or appeals to standards in special circumstances; to provide for teacher evaluation and assistance, including mentoring; to provide for professional development and leadership development designed to improve teaching and learning; to review the impact of professional development activities on teaching and learning; to coordinate activities of the Technology Center; and to coordinate partnerships between secondary and post-secondary institutions. Quality Educators Committee Membership: Chair: TBA Vice-Chair: Mr. Walter Lee Member: Ms. Louella Givens

Student and School Standards/Instruction Charge:To consider all matters relative to school and student standards; to set standards for high school graduation options; to monitor technical assistance in local curriculum development to align with the State Content Standards; to monitor curriculum-based initiatives; to provide for the education needs of special populations; to provide for adequate textbooks and materials of instruction; to consider matters related to secondary career training programs, such as JTPA; to monitor Department activities related to secondary vocational education; to build an articulated framework from 9-16; to consider school support matters such as nutrition and transportation services, parental involvement, community-based learning, school safety, migrant education, child welfare and attendance; to make recommendations for community support in the area of adult/parental education and training; and to organize issues-related information to guide Board decisions. Student and School Standards/Instruction Committee Membership: Chair: TBA Vice-Chair: TBA Member: Mr. Walter Lee Student Representative: Ms. Jessica Busada

Special Committees The Board may establish short-term committees with a specified focus area to study selected strategic initiatives. Each special committee shall be terminated when the purpose for which it was created has been considered and finally acted on by the Board.

Strategic Planning Study Group Charge: To provide opportunity for dialogue before deliberation on pre-selected topics/initiatives in a more informal setting; to provide for strategic planning; and to review goals, implementation, and appropriate performance indicators for education initiatives. Strategic Planning Study Group Membership: Chair: TBA Vice-Chair: TBA Member: Ms. Glenny Lee Buquet

High School Redesign Committee Charge: To provide opportunities for dialogue and policy action on matters concerning secondary school reform, including discussion on the work of the High School Redesign Commission, a collaborative effort of the Louisiana Department of Education, BESE, the Board of Regents, and the Governor's Office. High School Redesign Committee Membership: Chair: TBA Vice-Chair: Ms. Glenny Lee Buquet Member: Mr. Dale Bayard