Dr. Langlois, who presented the curriculum and instruction update for St. Tammany Parish Public Schools, told the board the district’s work‑based learning program is growing and aligning with recent state policy changes.

The program now reports 198 paid student interns and will host a state “best‑practice” site visit at Fontainebleau High School next month, officials said. Staff said the district is working to expand paid internships, Louisiana Registered Apprenticeships and industry‑aligned credentials to better prepare students for local jobs.

The work‑based learning presentation was led by Stacy Stratterberger and Stacy Alexius of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) team. Stratterberger said the district already meets most elements of the new BESE work‑based learning expectations and that the only remaining requirement is that interns be paid; the district is working with business partners to create paid placements.

“Students must have opportunities to connect their career interest with meaningful work experiences. We’re already doing that,” Stratterberger said, summarizing the district’s review of the state policy and the program’s practices.

Alexius described planning steps used to grow the program, including monthly workforce‑roundtable meetings with local economic‑development partners, a mentor survey of business partners, and principal professional development focused on career‑tech practices. Mary Kupp, the School‑to‑Work coordinator at Covington High School, described a student intern, Jenna, who is working at a veterinary clinic and said the placement has boosted the student’s confidence and real‑world skills.

District staff said the State BESE accountability model will grant bonus points for students who complete paid work‑based learning experiences and earn advanced credentials under a six‑year transition plan. To support statewide sharing of practices, the district will host regional educators and BESE representatives for a “Classroom to Careers” connection tour and will present on a work‑based learning panel at upcoming regional conferences.

Board members and public speakers praised the work of school coordinators and community partners. Board members asked about tracking whether interns remain in the local workforce after graduation; staff said some regional and state workforce partners keep placement data but that comprehensive post‑graduation tracking is limited and may require data from state workforce agencies.

District staff listed next steps: increase paid placements beyond the current 198, expand registered apprenticeships, grow credential offerings, and share program design with other districts during the state site visit.

Funding and implementation questions will continue as staff seek paid placements and work with employers whose internal policies sometimes restrict hiring minors.

St. Tammany’s presentation framed the program as a growing component of high school offerings intended to connect credentialing, classroom instruction and employer mentorship.