News

(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.

Big changes are coming to public education. Will teachers guide those changes, or stand on the sidelines watching?

The $247.9 million budget shortfall predicted for the coming year could easily be covered by proceeds from the state’s Tax Amnesty Program if Gov. Bobby Jindal were not so focused on further cuts to higher education and health care.

(December 21, 2009) The state’s largest teacher union intends to be fully engaged in how a new federal education program’s funds will be used in Louisiana’s classrooms, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.

To hear the captains of industry tell it, Louisiana has some of the highest business taxes in the United States. That claim has prompted lawmakers to grant hundreds of millions of dollars worth of tax breaks in the past few years. Louisiana schools have lost millions because of those giveaways, according to economist Greg LeRoy.

Teacher evaluations should be meaningful and appropriate, and should be seen as professional development tools, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten told delegates to the 45th annual Louisiana Federation of Teachers convention.

Two State Representatives have been recognized for their commitment to public education and the teachers and school employees who dedicate their careers to the children of our state.

Cory Moore, a junior at Grace King High School in Metairie, is the designer of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers’ 2009 holiday greeting card