Lafayette Reporter

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has criticized the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for proposing lower graduation standards for high school students in the state. The new standards would allow students to graduate even if they fail the state's Graduate Exit Exam multiple times. Kennedy expressed his concerns about the proposal, stating, "This is a massive step back... an announcement to the rest of America that Louisiana has given up."

Kennedy believes that the proposal sends a message that the students in Louisiana are not smart enough or good enough. He argues that giving students second or third chances to pass the exam and then offering them a special project to earn a diploma that they cannot truly read is not the solution. He firmly stated, "Our kids are better than that."

The senator emphasized that every child in Louisiana is capable of learning, even if they need a little more time. However, he believes that giving them a diploma they cannot read will not benefit them in any way. Kennedy expressed his disappointment in the people behind this proposal, stating, "The people behind this ought to hide their heads in a bag."

Kennedy also informed that the rule change is going to be discussed in an oversight hearing in both the Senate Education Committee and the House Education Committee in the Louisiana legislature. He expressed hope that either the Senate or the House, or both, will reject the proposed changes.

It is clear that Kennedy strongly opposes the proposition to lower graduation standards in Louisiana. He firmly believes that the students in the state are capable of achieving high standards and should not be given a diploma that does not truly reflect their abilities. The senator's remarks highlight his commitment to ensuring that the education system in Louisiana maintains rigorous standards for the benefit of its students.

Source: [Kennedy's full remarks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXXXXXX)

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/public/press-releases?ID=33A2EBD2-537D-47BF-A863-62BB5551B834