News

Coghill Charter School Teachers Unite Around Voice and Stability in the Classroom

Teachers at Mary D. Coghill Charter School in New Orleans have formed a union, with more than 93 percent of staff signing a petition asking the school board to recognize the United Teachers of New Orleans as their exclusive collective bargaining representative.

(Covington – October 20, 2016) Nearly 200 teachers and school employees met Tuesday night to unanimously approve a new contract between the St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees and the parish school board.

Responding to a column in The Advocate, LFT Interim President Larry Carter made it clear that the Federation supports the idea of a year-long residency for new teachers, but has concerns about the plan approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(Baton Rouge – October 5, 2016) Louisiana Federation of Teachers Interim President Larry Carter has been named to Governor John Bel Edwards’ advisory panel on the Every Student Succeeds Act, a federal education law aimed at improving student performance in public schools.

Through the signing of an Executive Order Thursday, Governor John Bel Edwards established an advisory council on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) - the new, bipartisan law that recently reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux and Louisiana Federation of Teachers Chief of Staff Marcus Fontenot joined the governor as he made the order official.

Leaders of the LFT and the LAE applaud the Louisiana Legislature for granting a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to current retirees of the Louisiana public school system.

In a private meeting with leaders from LFT and LAE, Governor Edwards explained the dilemma he faces in asking the Senate Education Committee to reject public education’s proposed $3.7 billion Minimum Foundation Program formula

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.

(Lake Charles – November 22, 2015) Seven local chapters of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers today received the Union Values in Action Award for improving the lives of members, enhancing the influence of the union and advancing the mission of 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.