News

Dependant on Value Added Model, even 1% is too much, LFT says

(Baton Rouge – October 8, 2010) With a growing number of reports illustrating the chaos fomented by a new teacher evaluation system, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan asks school boards to limit the damage by minimizing the effect that the system has on teacher compensation.

(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.

Assistance is available for residents of parishes that have been declared disaster areas in the wake of Hurricane Isaac. Members of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers may be eligible for UnionPlus Disaster Relief Grants. Affected parishes include Ascension, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist and St. Tammany.

(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.

(Baton Rouge – August 24, 2010) In touting the product of a researcher nationally recognized for studies biased in favor of school vouchers, Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White continues down the path of rhetoric and partisan politics at the expense of taxpayers and school children, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.

Echoing a district court ruling, the Louisiana Supreme Court today denied a request for an injunction to halt funding for Governor Bobby Jindal’s controversial school voucher plan. A trial to determine the constitutionality of the voucher scheme will proceed as scheduled on October 15, however...

As the school year begins, Gov. Jindal’s voucher program is already mired in scandal. Schools have been approved for vouchers even though they do not have adequate teachers, facilities or curricula. The situation is so bad that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education suspended the approval of non-public schools until the process for granting approval can be revamped.

(Baton Rouge – July 26, 2012) The Louisiana Federation of Teachers today asked the State Department of Education to hold a hearing at which critiques, comments and suggestions for improvements can be made in regard to accountability standards for private and religious schools that will accept vouchers this fall.

(Baton Rouge – July 24, 2012) Rules approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to impose accountability on the new statewide school voucher program are little more than a sham, spokesmen for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers said today.

Ruling does not mean voucher scheme is legal, judge says

(Baton Rouge – July 10, 2012) A state district judge today said that the law will not allow him to temporarily halt a state voucher program that threatens to divert millions of dollars from public schools into largely unregulated private and religious schools, course providers and homeschoolers.

Judge Tim Kelly of the 19th Judicial District based his ruling on two statements, signed by State Superintendent of Education John White and Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater. Their affidavits claim that the injunction requested by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and others would cause the state to have deficit spending.

The judge said that his ruling will have no effect on the ultimate outcome of the lawsuit, which claims that Gov. Bobby Jindal’s school voucher program is unconstitutional for a number of reasons.

Jefferson Federation of Teachers triumphs over School Board again

(June 25, 2012, Jefferson Parish, LA)  The 24th Judicial District Court of Jefferson Parish ruled today in favor of the Jefferson Federation of Teachers and against the Jefferson Parish School Board.  Judge Raymond Steib issued a permanent injunction stopping the School Board from applying its Reduction in Force (RIF) policy as implemented on July 13, 2011.