We need to do all that we can to make sure that Louisiana students are prepared for the future so that they can be productive, contributing members of society. We must constantly evaluate and explore newer and better ways of providing higher quality educational opportunities. Those of us in policymaking positions must stay abreast of current developments to make sure that what we adopt is appropriate, and to make certain that we provide the necessary support for success. Conferences such as this one are very significant to those decision-making processes. As policymakers, we must focus on the issues of relevance and accountability.
Education has to mean something that's real, something that people can see and touch and understand.
We also must be accountable with the public's investment in us so that we can report that we've used our money wisely and appropriately, and so that the public can see that they are getting some real return on their investment. The Board of Regents must continue to develop and implement appropriate policies to foster collaboration that can improve teacher education and delivery of undergraduate instruction. The Board must continue to listen to teachers and develop policies that are supportive of collegial, collaborative endeavors.