Mary Beth Hughes Derrickson from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) joins the show to spotlight Louisiana’s surprising rise in K-12 education rankings and the urgent push for early childhood investment. With national recognition for gains in reading and math, the state’s back-to-basics approach is paying off. But early childhood access remains a major challenge, costing Louisiana over $1 billion annually. Mary Beth previews a new report outlining progress, funding boosts, and bold recommendations—including expanded tax credits for employers investing in childcare. It’s a call to action for business leaders to help build a stronger, more prepared workforce from the ground up.

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