The recent decision by Gov. John Bel Edwards to drop an appeal of former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s lawsuit challenging Common Core standards was the right move.

(Baton Rouge – January 29, 2016) Leaders of the state’s two largest public education organizations are expressing concern over the appointment of State Representative Nancy Landry as chairperson of the House Education Committee. Speaker of the House Taylor Barras announced the appointment late Thursday afternoon.

BESE Report – January 2016
MFP faces $20 million shortfall this year

Former Lt. Governor and current Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne visited BESE to administer oaths of office to members, but also brought a warning about the state’s dire financial situation.

(Baton Rouge - January 5, 2016) Governor-elect John Bel Edwards today announced his three appointments to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(Lake Charles - November 22, 2015) Collin McInnis, a senior at Sam Houston High School’s LCB Academy in Lake Charles, is the designer of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ 2015 holiday greeting card. Collin’s art teacher is Bobbi Yancey.

(Lake Charles – November 23, 2015) Influential radio host Jim Engster was recognized by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers today for his coverage of education issues in the state.

(Lake Charles – November 23, 2015) Dr. Lottie Beebe and Carolyn Hill were named today as the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ Friends of Education for 2015. The Friend of Education Award is the highest honor that the Louisiana Federation of Teachers bestows on non-members of the union. It is presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to public education.

(Lake Charles – November 22, 2015) Retired Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Meladie Munch and Red River United member Cleve Arkansas today received Pioneer Awards from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. The award is presented annually to individuals who, over the years, made major contributions to the growth and influence of the LFT.

It was only natural. The Louisiana Federation of Teachers was the first organization to publicly endorse Governor-elect John Bel Edwards in what seemed like a long-shot bid for the governor’s mansion. Edwards returned the favor on November 22, when he made his first public address since the election to the LFT’s 51st annual convention in Lake Charles.

BESE Report - December, 2015

It’s a conflict that has frustrated parents and school administrators ever since a protest movement last spring prompted thousands of students to opt-out of taking PARCC tests. Federal law requires schools to report test scores and be graded based on them, but no law forces students to take the tests.

In a compromise that was vetted by the Parish Superintendents Advisory Council, but not the Accountability Commission, BESE approved an emergency rule that allows schools in which students to avoid penalties, at least for one year.