News

(Baton Rouge- January 11, 2012) As expected, John White was appointed State Superintendent of Education today by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Nine members voted to support Gov. Jindal’s hand-picked candidate, while District 3 Member Lottie Beebe voted “no” and District 8 Member Carolyn Hill abstained. Reportedly, both were under heavy political pressure to support the governor’s choice

The Louisiana AFL-CIO will be offering three $1,000 scholarships at the 57th annual Convention, to be held on March 5-6 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, located at 201 Lafayette Street in Baton Rouge.

For complete information, please click here.

(Baton Rouge – December 14, 2011) The state’s Education Estimating Conference was right to reject a guess that Louisiana’s average teacher salary has climbed to more than $51,000 per year, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.

As expected, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education rammed through, with very little debate, a new teacher evaluation system heavily skewed toward a Value Added Model on Tuesday.

Not that there wasn't objection. As this Associated Press article points out, there were plenty of reasonable objections made by expert teachers and their organizations. The lack of debate was on BESE's side - like obedient children, they did as they were told and approved the new model.

Four local chapters of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers 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. The awards were presented at the 47th annual LFT convention at Diamond Jacks Resort in Bossier City.

Veteran Jefferson Parish teacher and union activist Ed Fortmayer has received the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ Pioneer Award. The award is presented annually to a union member who has made a unique contribution to the Federation’s success through dedication, service and leadership

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers honored three leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to the cause of public education in our state. The awards –Senator of the Year, Representative of the Year and Friend of Education – were presented on November 21 at the Federation’s 47th annual convention in Bossier City.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers presented its inaugural Distinguished Partners Award to the Louisiana Budget Project. The award is designed to recognize organizations that work in concert with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers toward goals that both improve public education and serve the larger needs of our communities. The award was presented at the LFT's 47th annual convention in Bossier City on November 21.

LFT President Steve Monaghan was elected to his fourth term as leader of the state’s largest teacher and school employee union during the Federation’s 47th annual convention in Bossier City on November 21.

(Baton Rouge – October 7, 2011) Saying that the recent release of letter grades for Louisiana public schools is an exercise in intellectual dishonesty, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan called on the state’s leaders to stop playing politics, engage in an honest dialogue concerning our the health of our schools, our communities, and our families, and then provide the resources needed to provide every child an equal opportunity to succeed.