BATON ROUGE, La. — U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon will join Louisiana education leaders for a civics education showcase in downtown New Orleans on Wednesday afternoon. The event will recognize Louisiana students for their leadership, scholarship, and civic engagement.
This event compliments the U.S. Department of Education’s History Rocks! Trail to Independence Tour, a national initiative celebrating civics instruction and student connection to America’s founding principles as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.
The afternoon program will include remarks from Secretary McMahon and Louisiana State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley, along with student orations, performances, and special recognitions.
MEDIA RSVP REQUIRED
Location and media logistics for the afternoon showcase will be shared upon confirmation of credentials. To RSVP for the afternoon event, please complete this form.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This RSVP is for the afternoon event only. A separate morning visit to a New Orleans-area school is being hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. To attend the morning event, please follow the instructions provided in the U.S. Department of Education’s media advisory.
- WHAT: Civics education showcase
- WHO: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Louisiana State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley, members of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, state education leaders, honored students from across Southeast Louisiana
- WHEN: Wednesday, January 21 | 2:30 p.m.
- WHERE: Downtown New Orleans | location details provided upon credential confirmation
Elevating Civics Education
The showcase highlights Louisiana’s nationally recognized efforts to elevate civics education and prepare students for informed, engaged citizenship. It complements Secretary McMahon’s History Rocks! Tour. Louisiana has become a national leader in civics education by adopting the Freedom Framework for K–12 social studies instruction, establishing a civics diploma endorsement, and launching Celebrate Freedom Week, a statewide observance aligned with Constitution Day. In 2026, all Louisiana graduates will receive a special America 250 diploma seal in honor of the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Freedom Framework
In 2022, Louisiana became one of the first states to adopt a new set of social studies standards that tell the story of American exceptionalism as well as the nation’s continuous journey towards becoming a more perfect union. Known as the Freedom Framework, Louisiana has since advised other states in developing similarly rigorous civics-focused standards.
Civics Diploma Endorsement
The 2025–2026 school year marks the first time students are eligible to earn the Freedom Framework Diploma Endorsement, a new recognition for high school students who demonstrate excellence in civics education. The endorsement is awarded to students who score Mastery or above on the required high school civics assessment. Recipients will receive an additional seal on their diploma and wear a red, white, and blue honor cord during graduation ceremonies.
Celebrate Freedom Week
Held annually to coincide with Constitution Day and Constitution Week, Celebrate Freedom Week is a statewide observance that promotes civic understanding and constitutional literacy among Louisiana students. Louisiana has partnered with the Reagan Foundation and The National WWII Museum on statewide events.
America 250 Diploma Seal
As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Louisiana will honor this historic milestone by placing a commemorative America 250 seal on the diplomas of all graduating seniors in the Class of 2026. This special recognition is part of the state’s broader effort to promote civic understanding and celebrate the responsibilities of citizenship.