In 2023, Louisiana was the only state to deny high school seniors their diploma despite earning all the required credits and credentials for graduation.

Each year, nearly 1500 high school seniors in Louisiana are unable to graduate due to the standardized test requirement. This includes children who have acute health conditions, are new to the country, or have characteristics of dyslexia.

Tell Louisiana’s Legislators to make the EXCELL Appeals Process a law this spring.

The BESE-approved Appeals Process allows eligible high school seniors to appeal the test requirement for graduation if they: 

1) earn all credits required for the standard high school diploma 

2) demonstrate their knowledge through the LEAP exam OR a standards-aligned portfolio of work

3) prove they're ready through a graduation-qualifying Industry Credential, or Silver+ Level National Career Readiness Certificate (ACT WorkKeys), or TOPS Tech Eligibility,  and meet with a local workforce agency to discuss career options post-graduation.

Not only will this policy equip students to graduate with the skills needed to enter the workforce, it will reduce the number of disconnected youth who are unenrolled and unemployed.

After you sign the petition, please take a minute and write a comment so it’s more personal: tell the story of how your child, your student, or you - are more than just a test score and have dreams of a bright future.

You can also tell your story HERE.

A high school diploma opens doors to pursue educational attainment, workforce participation, and desirable life outcomes.

Louisiana’s youth deserve the opportunity to demonstrate their value to the community and earn a high school diploma - an option that every other student across the country already has.

Texas' students, who graduated through their state appeal process, are employed at comparable rates to that of non-appeal graduates and twice that of dropouts. The Texas Legislature passed their appeals process unanimously. 

Tell Louisiana Legislators: Move Our Schools from TEST Preparation to LIFE Preparation. Sign this petition today!

Learn more about EXCELL on the website HERE.