This bill amends existing laws regarding individual graduation plans for public middle and high school students in Louisiana. It allows for the inclusion of career coaches in the development of these plans, alongside parents, legal guardians, and school counselors. The bill specifies that by the end of the eighth grade, students must begin creating an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) with the assistance of a career coach if applicable. Additionally, it mandates that the state Department of Education publish a list of high-quality career coaching vendors by January 1, 2027, and allows local school boards to form regional consortia to share costs for hiring career coaches.

The legislation also emphasizes the importance of communication between school counselors or career coaches and parents regarding any revisions to a student's IGP. It requires that any changes to the plan be approved in writing by the parent or guardian. Furthermore, the bill mandates that local school boards include a description of their career coaching plans in their pupil progression plans and that the state Department of Education annually publish information on school boards that have not utilized their career development funds effectively.

Statutes affected:
SB482 Original: 17:2925(A)(1), 17:2926(A)
SB482 Engrossed: 17:2925(A)(1), 17:2926(A)
SB482 Enrolled: 17:2925(A)(1), 17:2926(A)