LAC 28:CXV.511. Completion of Approved Numeracy Skills Course

A. The LDOE shall develop a list of approved professional development courses designed for educators that provide numeracy skills instruction and include information on instructing students regarding the vertical alignment of mathematical concepts and the blending of concepts, procedures, strategies, problem-solving, and disposition. B. For the purposes of the Section, teacher means a public school kindergarten through eighth grade mathematics teacher. C. Not later than the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, each fourth through eighth grade teacher must successfully complete at least one approved professional development course and provide documentation of successful completion of the course to the employing school. A teacher who provides documentation of successful completion of an approved professional development course within the five years prior to August 1, 2025, shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this Paragraph. D. Documentation of Completion. Any teacher hired must provide documentation to the employing school of successful completion of an approved professional development course within two years of the date of employment, as follows: 1. Any fourth through eighth grade teacher hired after July 31, 2025. 2. Any kindergarten through third grade teacher hired after July 31, 2027. E. Beginning May 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, each LEA shall report to the LDOE the number and percentage of teachers who have successfully completed and approved professional development numeracy course. Reported data shall be included in LDOE school progress profiles. F. Waivers to use professional development courses not included in the LDOE list of approved professional development courses must be submitted in writing to the department and are subject to approval by BESE. G. The professional development course shall be presented during the educator’s work day, but not during the statutorily guaranteed planning period and shall not extend the hours worked in a work day or the hours worked in a year. H. Not later than August 1, 2027, each kindergarten through third grade teacher must successfully complete at least one approved professional development course and provide documentation to the teacher’s employing school. A teacher who provides documentation of successful completion of an approved professional development course within five years prior to August 1, 2027, shall be considered in compliance with the provisions of this Subsection. I. Each LEA shall provide for numeracy coaches for math teachers in kindergarten through third grade for the purposes of providing on-site training on evidence-based mathematics instruction, demonstrating lessons, co-teaching or observation, and providing feedback for improving instruction, subject to the allocation of funds.