Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) has partnered with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) on a two-year pilot program focused on strengthening educator capacity and improving the delivery of computer programming instruction across the state. The initiative is designed to ensure students develop the technical skills necessary for success in both higher education and Louisiana’s evolving workforce.

As many educators are teaching computer programming coursework for the first time — and many students are new to the subject — LDOE identified the need for a solution that supports both groups through this transition. In response, the department partnered with an AI-powered platform provider to develop a Louisiana standards-aligned Python course that is simple to implement and scalable statewide. The browser-based, cloud-powered platform enables educators to deliver high-quality instruction with confidence while offering students individualized, real-time academic support.

“Louisiana’s workforce demands more, and this partnership delivers. We are equipping educators with the tools to teach at a higher level and preparing students with the skills to step directly into today’s technology careers,” said BPCC Chancellor Rick Bateman, Jr.

The pilot integrates AI tools that provide students with personalized learning experiences, including one-to-one AI tutoring, immediate feedback, adaptive coding exercises, automated grading and targeted interventions. These features ensure students receive consistent support whether instruction takes place in the classroom or beyond the school day. Teachers can also enhance engagement by creating additional assignments using the platform’s AI content tools, allowing instruction to remain flexible, responsive and relevant. For educators — particularly those new to teaching computer programming — the platform delivers continuous assessment and instructional feedback, strengthening both teacher confidence and instructional fluency.

Professional development is a central component of the pilot. Using a train-the-trainer model, educators participated in a kickoff training focused on the curriculum and AI tools, followed by 12 weeks of structured engagement in which they work through the course as students themselves. During this period, educators collaborate weekly with the platform’s curriculum support team and receive ongoing guidance from two BPCC instructors, who provide an additional layer of instructional support through one-on-one sessions. This approach fosters consistency, builds instructional confidence and creates a collaborative learning community among participating educators.

The pilot launched March 23 with 21 teachers representing 10 parishes across Louisiana, including five educators from the Bossier Parish School System. Participating teachers will be able to deploy the platform with an unlimited number of students within their parishes during the 2026–27 school year.

For BPCC, this partnership represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening information technology education across Louisiana. By supporting educators, expanding access to high-quality instruction and fostering collaboration statewide, the college is helping shape Career and Technical Education opportunities that prepare both teachers and students for what’s next.

###