BESE’s Acting President Ronnie Morris
Advancing Louisiana's Education: Insights from BESE's Acting President In this episode of What's What BR, guest Ronnie Morris, the acting president of the BESE board, discusses the improvements in Louisiana's K-12 education system, highlighting the state's climb to number 40 in national rankings. Morris shares the strategic focus on literacy, the adoption of phonics, and the deployment of new technologies including AI to enhance education. The episode also covers the significance of addressing teacher shortages, student truancy, and the value of vocational pathways alongside college readiness, emphasizing innovative approaches like virtual hubs and paid internships for real-world experience. Morris advocates for increased collaboration, leveraging technology, and heightened focus on literacy to further improve Louisiana's educational landscape. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to the Episode 00:33 Louisiana's Educational Progress and Rankings 02:05 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business and Education 03:50 Focusing on Literacy and Educational Improvements 06:04 Exploring the Role and Impact of the BESE Board 08:24 Addressing Teacher Shortages and Truancy 09:59 Innovative Educational Strategies and AI in Classrooms 13:59 Leveraging Technology for Education: The Virtual Hub 16:51 Enhancing Education Through Internships and Apprenticeships 19:05 The College Bound Dilemma: High Aspirations vs. Real Outcomes 19:57 Defining Career and College Readiness in Louisiana 20:46 Setting New Standards for Student Success 21:38 The Importance of Vocational Pathways 23:19 Addressing the Stigma Around Vocational Education 26:07 The Future of Education: Embracing Technology and Real-World Experience 29:56 A Comprehensive Approach to Education Reform 35:51 Closing Thoughts: Investing in Our Future