LFT: Committed to public education
LFT: Nearly 21,000 teachers and school employees who wake up every morning determined to make a difference.
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Judge stalls Jindal education agenda in Tangipahoa
U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle agreed with the Tangipahoa Parish School Board that both Act 1 and Act 2 of the 2012 legislative session will upset the agreement that allows Tangipahoa Parish schools to operate within federal desegregation guidelines.
Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan praised the judge’s ruling, saying that Gov. Jindal’s plan was hustled through the legislature too quickly for proper debate and oversight.
The People's Priorities
In her latest column appearing in the New York Times, AFT president Randi Weingarten advises lawmakers to consider voters’ priorities as they seek solutions to the so-called fiscal cliff. “When questions were on the ballot around public education,” Weingarten writes, “voters supported public education nearly every time.” Yet public schools and students could lose vital programs and services if lawmakers allow automatic spending cuts to kick in. “Voters’ wisdom—that neither deep cuts nor preferential tax policies for the super-wealthy will strengthen our economy or our country—should guide Congress to avert the fiscal cliff.” Read Weingarten’s column.
Voucher rules need stronger accountability standards
(Baton Rouge – October 25, 2012) Private and religious schools that receive state funds through vouchers should be held to accountability standards comparable to public schools, Louisiana Federation of Teachers resident Steve Monaghan said today.
Legislative branch should assert itself
(Baton Rouge – September 21, 2012) Concerned about the Jindal administration’s apparent "complete disregard" for the legislature and the separation of powers, Rep. Jerome “Dee” Richard (I-Thibodaux) this week became the second legislator to ask his colleagues to convene in special session. Senator Karen Carter Petersen (D-New Orleans) had already called for a special session over the Jindal administration’s handling of health care issues in the state.
Biased teacher study does not stand up to scrutiny, LFT says
(Baton Rouge – September 6, 2012) A study purporting to support a new teacher evaluation system is the product of a biased, pro-business think tank and should not be taken seriously by education reformers in Louisiana, according to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
A Great Opportunity for the Land of Opportunity
In her most recent column appearing in the New York Times, “A Great Opportunity for the Land of Opportunity,” AFT President Randi Weingarten calls for the swift passage of commonsense, compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform. “Whether it’s the realization that a nation made great by immigrants has a moral imperative to live up to our American values of democracy and opportunity, or because it’s sound economic policy, or because it’s just the right thing to do for hardworking families,” she says, “reforming our immigration system makes sense.” Read Weingarten's column.