Billionaires and privatizers hijack Louisiana elections
In the last two election cycles, out-of-state billionaires, hedge fund managers and school privatizers have poured millions of dollars into Louisiana school elections.
News
Louisiana graded “F” on support for public education
Louisiana is one of more than 30 states to be graded “F” on our support for public education in a new report from the Network for Public Education and the Schott Foundation for Public Education.
“Grading the States: A Report Card on Our Nation’s Commitment to Public Schools,” tracks the growth of private, for-profit charter and voucher schools that divert funding from public schools.
A Decade of Neglect
“A Decade of Neglect: Public Education Funding in the Aftermath of the Great Recession” details for the first time the devastating impact on schools, classrooms and students when states choose to pursue an austerity agenda in the false belief that tax cuts will pay for themselves. The comprehensive report offers a deep dive into the long-term austerity agendas and historic disinvestment that sparked the wave of nationwide walkouts this spring.
Here's how we win!
The Legislature passed a budget: Now it's up to us to fight for our children, our schools, and our profession!
The war on teacher unions continues
The war on teacher unions continues: We care. We fight. We show up.
Judging by the reaction from Louisiana’s biggest business lobby, you might think that a recent Supreme Court decision about public sector unions will have a major impact in our state.
It won’t. But that’s not stopping big business from using the decision to attack the LFT and other unions in our state. Here are the facts.
At last!!!
Legislature steps back from budget cliff!
When it all came down to a vote, lawmakers didn’t even need the full 10-day special session to take a step back from the fiscal cliff and compromise on a multi-year budget fix that sets Louisiana on a more stable, reliable course.
Governor John Bel Edwards announces his education agenda
Governor John Bel Edwards has announced his education agenda for the regular legislative session that opens on Monday, March 12, and ends on June 4. The governor's agenda includes reasonable, fair changes to the teacher tenure process and teacher evaluati
Why are teacher salaries DOWN in Louisiana?
After a decades-long struggle to get Louisiana teacher salaries to the Southern regional average, a new report shows that our teachers now earn nearly $2,000 less than our peers.
Louisiana teacher salaries reached parity with other Southern states in 2007, according to the Southern Regional Education Board. Our average salaries reached a high-water mark in 2012-13, at $51,381. But by 2015-16 (the last year that figures are available) our average salary plunged to $49,745. That year, the Southern average was $50,955 (the national average was $58,363).
Gov. Edwards addresses LFT conference
Governor John Bel Edwards was the featured speaker at the Louisiana Federation of Teachers' Paraprofessional and School Related Personnel conference, held on February 3, 2018, at the Baton Rouge Crowne Plaza Hotel. This year's conference was held in conjunction with the Federation's annual legislative issues meeting.
Mother Jones Award presented to Robin Herrin
Robin Herrin, a member of the Red River United chapter of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, was announced as the recipient of the LFT’s Mother Jones Award at the LFT's annual Paraprofessional and School Related Personnel Conference, held February 3, 2018 at the Baton Rouge Crowne Plaza Hotel.