Article
- Press
Survey: US parents prefer public schools to other choices
A new nationwide survey shows that parents overwhelmingly believe that strong neighborhood public schools are a better choice for our children than vouchers or charter schools.“Parents believe that public schools are the single most important institution for their community and for the nation,” said Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan. “This survey shows that 77 percent of American parents support public schools, an opinion that cuts across political and class lines.”
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- Press
LFT supports waiver to delay Common Core Standards
(Baton Rouge – July 17, 2013) Louisiana should take advantage of a U.S. Department of Education offer to extend the timetable for implementing Common Core Standards, according to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. Federation President Steve Monaghan said that the idea behind Common Core may have merit, but that like so many other education reforms that have been imposed recently, teachers and school systems have not been adequately prepared for the change.
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- Member Benefits
Wells Fargo Mortgage Program
The Union Plus® Mortgage program, with financing available through Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, can help you purchase a home while also receiving special benefits by virtue of your union membership.
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Article
- Press
Judge says state voucher scheme is unconstitutional
“Today’s ruling was a victory for the constitution and the rule of law,” said LFT President Steve Monaghan following the verdict. “It was also a victory for the nearly 700,000 children who depend on public schools for an education, and for local citizens who do not want their tax dollars diverted away from the uses they intended.”
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Article
Report It! Evaluation issues
What to do if you are having problems with the new state teacher evaluation: Report it! Tell us about your COMPASS experience! Please click here to Report It! and tell us about your COMPASS experience.
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Article
- Resources
Louisiana Federation of Teachers: A commitment to public education
The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is more than an organization. It is nearly 21,000 teachers and school employees who wake up every morning determined to make a difference in the lives of all the children in our schools. Those dedicated professionals, our members, are the heart and soul of the union. At the core of the LFT’s commitment to public education is our determination to preserve and protect the rights professional educators. They are the experts in their fields, and they have the education, expertise and certification required to provide the instruction and support our children deserve.
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- News
Your LFT Connection - August 2012
Governor Jindal may boast of victory for steamrolling a package of dubious education “reforms” through the legislature, but many now are asking: What was won, and at what cost?Choices were made to vilify teachers. Choices were made to frame public schools as failures. Choices were made to blame the unions, the school boards, and/or anyone who dared question the governor’s agenda.
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Article
- News
Department claims “Louisiana Believes,” but educators are unsure
A new public relations slogan from the state’s Department of Education claims that "Louisiana Believes." However, Louisiana educators don’t seem quite ready to believe that what's being pitched comes close to being "the real thing."
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Reject the unconstitutional, radical MFP
Even if you take no other action this year, please click here and send a message to your Representative saying “Reject the Minimum Foundation Program,” SCR 99 by Sen. Conrad Appel (R-Metairie). No question about it, Gov. Jindal’s plan will deconstruct public education in order to enrich the corporations that run charter and online schools. Click here to learn more and ask your Representative to vote NO when SCR 99, the MFP resolution, is heard on the House floor.
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Article
- News
LFT urges rejection of education budget
(Baton Rouge – May 10, 2012) The Legislature should reject a proposed $3.4 billion public education budget because it violates the state constitution and could enrich as-yet unidentified private companies at the expense of public schools across the state, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.
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Your LFT Connection - April 2012
“Elections have consequences.” Education was first in the crosshairs, but we’re not the only target. Governor Jindal and his allies are ruthlessly pursuing the most radical deconstruction of public services ever seen in Louisiana. State employees, public safety and health care will be next on the chopping block.
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- News
Monaghan: House action “done under cover of darkness”
Read more details in the Weekly Legislative Digest - click here. (Baton Rouge – March 23, 2012) Exhausted state representatives did as they were instructed by the Jindal administration Thursday, staying in session for more than 15 hours to ensure passage of two centerpieces of the governor’s extreme education agenda. Following the marathon session, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan questioned the need to steamroll HB 974 and HB 976 so early in the legislative season.
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- News
Fred Skelton named to Labor Hall of Fame
Retired Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Fred Skelton was inducted into the Louisiana AFL-CIO Hall of Fame at the union’s annual convention in Baton Rouge on March 5.
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With little debate, BESE adopts MFP that funds vouchers
February 27, 2012 was not a good day for good government. In a more than obvious display of deference to Governor Bobby Jindal, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Monday approved a public school funding formula that would guarantee spending taxpayer money – including local education funds - for private and religious school tuition vouchers.
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- News
Layoffs, privatization and increased employee costs in state budget
For the fourth year in a row, Gov. Bobby Jindal proposes a state budget that freezes public education’s Minimum Foundation Program funding at the 2008-09 level.
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Your LFT Connection - January, 2012, Special Edition: The governor's education plan
On January 17, the governor unveiled his plan in a speech to the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Unfortunately, the governor chose his words very poorly as he framed his controversial agenda. We had hoped that the governor would identify areas where consensus among stakeholders could emerge in the best interests of children and all citizens. There are more than 30 policy initiatives outlined in the governor’s press material, a barrage of ideas that will have to be carefully sorted when lawmakers come into session on March 12.
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- News
Tone of Jindal’s speech uneven, in part offensive, teachers say
(Baton Rouge – January 17, 2012) In a lengthy speech before members of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Governor Bobby Jindal unveiled what he has characterized as his bold plan for public education. The governor outlined a broad agenda divided into categories including teachers, parents, school officials and early childhood education.
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- News
What you need to know about the new teacher evaluation plan
UPDATED WITH NEW INFORMATION! Politicians believe the Value Added Model is right for Louisiana teachers. LFT isn't so sure. Beginning in 2012-13, Louisiana teachers will be evaluated using a new instrument that incorporates what is known as a Value Added Model. The VAM makes judgments about a teacher’s performance based on student growth as measured by standardized tests.
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Article
- News
LA AFL-CIO anounces scholarship
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.
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Article
- News
Estimating conference right to reject salary estimate, LFT says
(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.
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