News

(Breaux Bridge – May 11, 2010) By a unanimous vote, St. Martin Parish teachers and school employees who had been affiliate members of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers decided today to become a fully-chartered local chapter of the state’s largest teacher union.

(Baton Rouge – May 11, 2010) Louisiana Board of Regents officials warned the Senate Finance Committee today that eight higher education campuses may close as a result of planned cuts to the state budget.

The misleading and misnamed “Red Tape Reduction and Local Empowerment Waiver Program” was approved by the House Education Committee on Thursday over the objections of teacher and school employee representatives.

(Baton Rouge – April 28, 2010) The science that underlies a proposed new teacher evaluation plan may have merit, but the jury is out on whether it is ready to become law, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today. Nonetheless, the House Education Committee approved the bill without objection, and sent it to the House floor for further action.

Universal Placement International to repay $1.8 million in illegally charged fees.

(Baton Rouge – April 16, 2010) A Louisiana Workforce Commission administrative law judge has ruled in favor of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers and Filipino educators who were victims of an illegitimate California-based recruiting firm.

LFT president: Recruiter’s behavior “disgusting and an affront to basic American values.”

(Baton Rouge - April 6, 2009) Filipino teachers in Louisiana saw the wheels of justice take a turn on Monday when the state’s Workforce Development Commission held a hearing on the validity of contracts that allegedly violate state and federal law.

(Baton Rouge – March 4, 2010) The announcement that Louisiana is among 16 states chosen as finalists in the federal Race to the Top competition is a testament to the cooperation that marked discussions as our state’s application was prepared, according to Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan

(Baton Rouge – February 23, 2010) Governor Bobby Jindal should rethink budget plans that would force local school boards to shoulder millions of dollars of expenses that should be paid by the state, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today

(Baton Rouge – February 9, 2010) Instead of imposing even more top-down regulations that suggest little concern for the perspective or expertise of classroom educators, Gov. Bobby Jindal should work with educators as he crafts his legislative agenda for the coming session, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.

After carelessly remarking that Hurricane Katrina was somehow good for public education in New Orleans, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan apologized both privately and publicly. The Secretary's apology was appropriate, as was his frank characterization of those comments as "dumb," according to Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan.