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Convention speakers discuss issues

Three speakers at the 48th Annual LFT Convention brought important messages about issues that are important to teachers and school employees.

LFT attorney briefs convention on lawsuits

LFT General Counsel Larry Samuel gave the convention a report on the two lawsuits filed to halt Gov. Bobby Jindal’s signature education bills from the 2012 legislative session.

Act 1, which Jindal calls the “talent” bill, bases virtually every aspect of a teacher’s professional life on testing and evaluation, including a controversial way of evaluating some teachers called the “Value Added Model.”

Act 2, called the

Two LFT veterans receive Federation Pioneer Award

(Baton Rouge – November 19, 2012) Longtime union leaders Jean Johnson of Lake Charles and Leona Venson of Alexandria 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’s time to set the record straight…and correct the inaccurate media reports as to what our Act 2 lawsuit is all abou

For 15 days last summer, Sister Simone Campbell toured the Midwestern United States on a bus with a group of nuns, speaking up in favor of a national budget that conforms to the social justice teachings of the Catholic Church.

Fresh from her Nuns on the Bus tour, Sister Simone gave a rousing keynote address at the National Democratic Convention, at which she reaffirmed her commitment to economic equality. When LFT President Steve Monaghan saw her speech, he knew that she would be the perfect keynote speaker at the Federation’s annual convention.

Sister Simone did not disappoint. In a very moving

(December 17, 2012) After hearing arguments in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of controversial new education initiative, a Baton Rouge judge said that he will rule on the case at 1:30 PM Tuesday, December 18.

The 48^th Annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers Convention was held on November 18-20 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, hosted by the East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers.

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.

(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.

Convention speakers discuss issues

Two LFT veterans receive Federation Pioneer Award

LFT attorney sets lawsuit record straight

Sister Simone Campbell speaks truth, justice at LFT convention

UPDATE: Judge to rule on Act 1 Tuesday

Highlights of the 48th Annual LFT Convention

Flawed system shouldn’t dictate teacher salaries

Legislative branch should assert itself

Biased teacher study does not stand up to scrutiny, LFT says

Ideology and profit trump good policy in White’s press release