Sen. Edmonds warns 40% of graduates may be leaving Louisiana, urges action

Senator Rich Edmonds told the new task force he wants transformational results to keep graduates in Louisiana and connect education to the state’s economic development gains. "She said, well, 4 out of 10 of all of our graduates, and I think we're including, you know, career technical as well, 4 out of 10, soon as they graduate, they leave the state of Louisiana," he said, urging policy shifts to reverse outward migration.

Edmonds linked the education discussion to large recent investment and workforce opportunities across the state and urged the task force to recommend legislative and programmatic steps so that more students stay and work in Louisiana after graduation. He asked members to consider changes that would alter how universities, community colleges and K–12 systems prepare students for local careers.