tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.comments2023-12-29T00:38:51.861-08:00EdLogLouisana Federation of Teachershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08367793647653159034noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-41876833020519015672013-02-09T07:15:23.608-08:002013-02-09T07:15:23.608-08:00It's about time people start questioning this ...It's about time people start questioning this Jindal puppet.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-40207332687161237692012-11-01T10:27:26.643-07:002012-11-01T10:27:26.643-07:00White is in essence simply "negotiating"...White is in essence simply "negotiating" with Pre-K providers. He said in his presentation to Governor Jindal's Bright Start Advisory Council (the group REALLY in control of Pre-K via Jindal) that there will be waivers to licensing for those who participate in "outcome based rating" - in other words testing and letter grades. <br /><br />My understanding is that a federal grant was applied for and r received in 2010 under the auspices of the Louisiana Early Childhood Advisory Council directed by Dr. Geoffrey Nagle which outlines the pre-K plan. The plan touts "diverse delivery" (publicly funded private providers) in "community settings" (publicly funded private providers). The creators claim it is a benefit to public school systems because it will eliminate their cost for classrooms. The plan is to offer tax credits to qualified staff (merit pay tied to test scores complements of taxpayers) and some kind of tax credits for providers(my guess is vouchers). While White appears to be cautiously instituting this plan for the good of the public, I suspect his timeline is designed to:1) introduce a draft of standards (testing regime for grading system) on the Bright Start website in November, 2) present to. BESE in December 3) introduce legislation (vouchers, tax credits, letter grades etc) in spring session and 4) hope the data system t o report it will be up and running and funded as per legislation. <br /><br />Nothing new under the sun. Lee Barrios, M.Ed., NBCThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04412216853288886224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-86107419920490693392012-10-08T06:20:25.909-07:002012-10-08T06:20:25.909-07:00Rhonda is right. I am a teacher in Louisiana. Jo...Rhonda is right. I am a teacher in Louisiana. John White is bogus. Gov. Jindal is a farce. This program is about ruining the lives of the very people who are working to instill the values of the American system in our students in order to get rid of them because they can pay new college graduates less than veteran teachers. This is a HUGE mistake. My interests aside, I can say unequivocally that my experience and wisdom supports the school, as I see the young and inexperienced teachers come and go, come and go, because they can't hack it. If it weren't for teachers like me today, I would've never made it as a new teacher. A lot of what goes into the job isn't learned in college, its learned with experience, and its something a 20 something John White wouldn't know and its something that a politician that's voting this legislation into law surely wouldn't know. In 20 years, no politician has ever asked me what I would do to improve schools. I have never seen a politician in a school that I have worked in and I've worked in many schools in this state.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-71064462519908128002012-10-05T16:02:58.645-07:002012-10-05T16:02:58.645-07:00Of all the highly qualified teaching professionals...Of all the highly qualified teaching professionals in this state, how in the world did Ms. Horstman qualify for and then get this job? And, as importantly, where are our legislators, local politicians and school board members, parents, investigative reporters (besides you Mr. Sentell - thank you so much!) while all this is going on? There is little or nothing being reported on our local TV stations or other media outlets. The average person/parent/guardian knows nothing of this. In addition to the state and local "upper echelon", they should be interviewing those of us in the trenches, and in particular, our MANY HIGHLY QUALIFIED & EFFECTIVE teachers who, prior to Gov. Jindal's and Superintendent White's nightmarish efforts and whiplash legislation, have not only gone above and beyond in educating our students, but also have tremendous ideas to offer to those who NEVER enter a classroom and haven't in a VERY LONG TIME. Gentlemen, you need a tremendous REALITY CHECK if indeed you CARE ABOUT EDUCATION and WANT THE VERY BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN. To the media: with all that is at stake, with all that is going on, with the education of our children and the state's future at stake, this situation should be a major lead story at least several times a week until it is resolved. Delve into this on more than just a superficial or one-dimensional level. Go beyond the press releases for the real story. Get rid of some of the fluff and give education in this state the attention it deserves. <br /><br />Annette Yeates Tolbert<br />Currently a fifteen-year Caddo Parish secondary high school teacher in Career & Technical Education, a former adjunct university teacher, and, prior to teaching full time, a twenty five-year professional in my career areaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17016694052786693134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-23461128693998587462012-10-05T16:01:10.132-07:002012-10-05T16:01:10.132-07:00Of all the highly qualified teaching professionals...Of all the highly qualified teaching professionals in this state, how in the world did Ms. Horstman qualify for and then get this job? And, as importantly, where are our legislators, local politicians and school board members, parents, investigative reporters (besides you Mr. Sentell - thank you so much!) while all this is going on? There is little or nothing being reported on our local TV stations or other media outlets. The average person/parent/guardian knows nothing of this. In addition to the state and local "upper echelon", they should be interviewing those of us in the trenches, and in particular, our MANY HIGHLY QUALIFIED & EFFECTIVE teachers who, prior to Gov. Jindal's and Superintendent White's nightmarish efforts and whiplash legislation, have not only gone above and beyond in educating our students, but also have tremendous ideas to offer to those who NEVER enter a classroom and haven't in a VERY LONG TIME. Gentlemen, you need a tremendous REALITY CHECK if indeed you CARE ABOUT EDUCATION and WANT THE VERY BEST FOR OUR CHILDREN. To the media: with all that is at stake, with all that is going on, with the education of our children and the state's future at stake, this situation should be a major lead story at least several times a week until it is resolved. Delve into this on more than just a superficial or one-dimensional level. Go beyond the press releases for the real story. Get rid of some of the fluff and give education in this state the attention it deserves. <br /><br />Annette Yeates Tolbert<br />Currently a fifteen-year Caddo Parish secondary high school teacher in Career & Technical Education, a former adjunct university teacher, and, prior to teaching full time, a twenty five-year professional in my career areaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17016694052786693134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-91227632465301755462012-10-05T12:42:54.326-07:002012-10-05T12:42:54.326-07:00The state of Louisiana has turned the clock back t...The state of Louisiana has turned the clock back to Slavery. We, ALL are living on Master Jindal's Plantation, wondering when we are going to be SOLD. This states Education, Healthcare, Hospitals, are being SOLD to Jindal's Republican Buddies with no regard of future consequences. Who, Destroys their own house or state? His tactics are so HILTER like, that he started with Early Education and worked his way to the Colleges. Did he forget that he was Educated in LOUISIANA's PUBLIC SCHOOLS & EDUCATION SYSTEM. To Destroy Educators Lives that have done the REQUIRED Education to teach the whole student, and replace them with graducates that are trying to pay-off their student loans is dangerous. Lousiana have some of the most DEDICATED EDUCATORS that do not deserve to be underminded by your Governor & his Politics. Don't they realize they are HURTING ALL the CITIZENS of Louisiana. I hope other Louisiana Mayors, Predisents, Senators, Congressmen, Representatives are NOT IMMUNE from the DESTROYER Jindal's POLICIES. POWER is the wrong hands,with followers at ANY cost is whats killing Louisiana. If, Louisiana Education is so BAD why did he go to LSU for Higher<br />Education? And now he's trying to DESTROY Teaching Institutions. We, should take this FIGHT EVERYWHERE Jindal GOES starting at his House and Follow him with SIGNS as he travel Peddling is Ideology for a higher Governmental Position. His track record will be HOW HE SOLD & DISMANTLED LOUISIANA'S EDUCATION,HEALTHCARE,& HOSPITALS for years to come and he'll be gone to greener pasture. Jindal, has already set himself up in Business even after his term as Governor is over at the expense of Louisiana EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, HOSPITALS, & CITIZENS. Jindal CANNOT Rise, his term must end in Louisiana. The BUCK STOPS HERE.<br /><br />Rhonda Ford<br />New Orleans, LA.<br /> Rhonda Fordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-35622780105665241392012-10-02T17:08:56.325-07:002012-10-02T17:08:56.325-07:00Why did she get this position? Is she related to s...Why did she get this position? Is she related to someone who makes these choices or worse, messing around? If this is true then someone should start asking some questions. Who else applied?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-74426693899943510842012-09-30T15:39:43.923-07:002012-09-30T15:39:43.923-07:00How exactly does this happen? How can someone that...How exactly does this happen? How can someone that can't even make the MINIMUM on a MINIMUM standards test be in charge of MY evaluation?????? Making more than I do a year as a National Board Certified teacher with 15 years experience?????Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15537296001422868144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-26705796784342656452012-09-29T23:12:29.652-07:002012-09-29T23:12:29.652-07:00Don't even know what to say about this!!! Shoc...Don't even know what to say about this!!! Shocked...or am I????<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-14448685326195684802012-06-27T18:56:25.335-07:002012-06-27T18:56:25.335-07:00On the other hand, if gaming isn't gambling yo...On the other hand, if gaming isn't gambling you know the process in Louisiana is a crapshoot, anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-56792905815851809182012-05-04T07:46:36.396-07:002012-05-04T07:46:36.396-07:00I think it is ironic that charter schools want all...I think it is ironic that charter schools want all sorts of autonomy from the school district and even excemption from laws regarding class sizes and the like. Yet when it comes to holding them accountable for the improper things that may take place on their campus, they want to cry foul and be treated as if they are a district run school. If you are given all this autonomy and excemption from traditional school regulations, then I think it is fair to hold them more accountable through legislation, since there is no way to hold them accountable to the district school board.<br /><br />Shame on those reprersentatives who voted no! Stand for the children indeed!Caden Cliffordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-75157619899351145742012-05-03T06:58:09.688-07:002012-05-03T06:58:09.688-07:00I came home to Louisiana because of my aging paren...I came home to Louisiana because of my aging parents. I wanted to be closer to them and to return home. Now, I am not so sure this is my home. I am already making plans to leave this place that I once called home. I am ready to leave and take my teaching talents with me . Texas and Alabama are really starting to catch my eye. <br />Adios Amigos, espero que todo resulta bien para usted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-42790441356705871442012-04-30T15:37:54.625-07:002012-04-30T15:37:54.625-07:00If they take the benefits away, there will not be ...If they take the benefits away, there will not be any reason at all to stay in this state. Say good bye to good teachers chased off by non-educators trying to legislate education. As it stands now, would not take much for me to leave!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-85281685163389570412012-02-20T10:41:10.164-08:002012-02-20T10:41:10.164-08:00Since when does freedom of choice be usurped in ou...Since when does freedom of choice be usurped in our country?? I believe that you ought to let the parents decide which schools their own children will attend. It should be zoned based as to which zone they live within as to which schools they have available for them to choose. But freedom of choice is one of our god-given rights in this country. We aren't Russia yet I hope???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-56982449212753609022012-02-18T14:07:07.417-08:002012-02-18T14:07:07.417-08:00All the voters and taxpayers of the state should b...All the voters and taxpayers of the state should be aware of this. There is no accountability by the private/parochial schools or by the Jindal administration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-70103161205502696702012-02-05T22:37:20.788-08:002012-02-05T22:37:20.788-08:00It amazes me that the governor, who is a product o...It amazes me that the governor, who is a product of a public education, is so negative toward public education! What's really behind his negativism? He has not come and visited one public school where teachers are in the trenches everyday, working with students who come with so many issues, that it's unreal! Home plays a huge part in the lives of students, especially when many parents choose not to support the schools that their children attend or encourage and push THEIR children to study and to do well. There are Parents who can't be found/contacted until an expulsion is on the horizon, or students who apparently feel it's ok not to do homework/classwork, but want to just get by! What's most amazing is that teachers have to be everything to some students and not just the person trying to educate them! We are blamed for what students never were taught or should have learned in their foundation years with the assistance of their parents, we are expected to babysit(not teach), to allow behaviors exhibited at home to be the status quo at school, we teach in situations where there is over crowding and/or with constant disruptions. I grant you that their are some teachers who should have chosen other careers simply because teaching is not their niche', but there are teachers who have chosen teaching as their profession because of a genuine love of working with/educating children. To give direction, guidance, and training to young minds is a real teachers' passion! To turn on the light bulbs in their minds! To allow students to see and understand that Educators are not robots(without feeling), but truly care about them and their future. We all know that the paths chosen lead to a childs' future! Teachers should not all be put into the same bag and students should all get the same opportunities to learn, wherever they attend school (public, private, charter,religious). As reductions in monies and layoffs are being considered to enhance one system over another and teachers in one system made to look less qualified than in another, in the public system, teachers constantly update/upgrade themselves in order to meet the needs and challenges encountered each and everyday! All we are asking is that the real facts are made public and that there is fairness in regards to Public Education!Diana J.Williamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-83539266726586087372011-09-21T18:38:48.761-07:002011-09-21T18:38:48.761-07:00Glad to know that teachers will be there to let ev...Glad to know that teachers will be there to let everyone know that they will not stand by and let thousands and thousands of middle-class jobs to be lost. We all rely on Avondale.EmilyMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14003328959593706699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-22024205261755220012011-06-25T01:26:08.902-07:002011-06-25T01:26:08.902-07:00You are NOT "victims". You are educated ...You are NOT "victims". You are educated workers who made a choice to accept a NON immigrant guest worker visa, the H1-B, designed to remedy SHORTAGES. While it allows a business or organization to sponsor you for a green card, it does not guarantee that one will do so or that you can stay here. Now that these schools are no longer experiencing shortages (if they ever truly were), you shouldn't be surprised your services are no longer needed. That's what American teachers and Americans in general have always faced in the job market.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-18550865922311028882011-06-25T01:21:45.814-07:002011-06-25T01:21:45.814-07:00You are NOT "victims". You are highly qu...You are NOT "victims". You are highly qualified educated workers who made a choice to accept a NON immigrant guest worker visa, the H1-B, designed to remedy SHORTAGES. While it allows a business or organization to sponsor you for a green card, it does not guarantee that one will do so or that you can stay here. Now that these schools are no longer experiencing shortages (if they ever truly were), you shouldn't be surprised your srevices are no longer needed. That's what American teachers and Americans in general have always faced in the job market.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-4446016674516979532010-05-06T01:53:19.054-07:002010-05-06T01:53:19.054-07:00The article could be much better, but education pe...The article could be much better, but education performance indicators that do allow state-to-state comparisons (such as the ones published by the National Assessment of Educational Progress) all show that on average kids in Texas can read and do math significantly better than kids in Louisiana.<br /><br />Consider also that the public schools in New Orleans are (again, on average) the worst in Louisiana, despite in many cases being better funded.<br /><br />Also, the Orleans parish education success metrics were among the worst in the United States, in some cases rating Louisiana 50th among all the states plus the district of Columbia. This is particularly disturbing given that the United States itself compares rather poorly with other developed nations of the world.<br /><br />Are things better now? Yes, definitely, measurably.<br /><br />Was the work that work that the Orleans Parish School Board did before Katrina commendable? Was the OPSB successful? By any standard that we're able to measure, the answer is No. For a long time, we couldn't really do much worse educating our kids in New Orleans.<br /><br />The Washington Post quoted Education Secretary Arne Duncan as saying that Katrina was "the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans". There might be some truth to that.<br /><br />References:<br /><br />* National Center for Education Statistics (http://nces.ed.gov/)<br /><br />* The Cowen Institute for Public Education Initiatives (http://www.tulane.edu/cowen_institute/speno.html)<br /><br />* U.S. Department of Education (ed.gov)<br /><br />* Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/29/AR2010012903259.html)Donnie Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02850419139819137822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-82038382073562725112010-01-20T06:55:43.257-08:002010-01-20T06:55:43.257-08:00Funny how ultraliberal bureaucrats can see Jindal ...Funny how ultraliberal bureaucrats can see Jindal and Pastorek as anything other than fiscal moderates. They are correct to feel threatened.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-22866603806613735312009-10-14T16:33:17.714-07:002009-10-14T16:33:17.714-07:00Yes, and check out the lavish salaries of the folk...Yes, and check out the lavish salaries of the folks who work at the organizations incubating new charters. At New Schools for New Orleans, for example, the top two salaries are around 140K and 130K and a third employee makes 85K. With a decentralized system, we have multiple "leadership administrations" and multiple elite salaried directors. This is just another form of inefficiency.<br />(You can view the highest paid non-profit employee salaries at guidestar.com. It's public information and can also be requested from the organizations.)Rogernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-24166091102625400622009-08-17T16:54:35.369-07:002009-08-17T16:54:35.369-07:00I have an idea. Since Mr. Pastorek neglected to n...I have an idea. Since Mr. Pastorek neglected to notify the Union Parish School Board about the BESE agenda, and since he has admitted his failure, Mr. Pastorek should give his "world-class" salary to the Union Parish School Board. <br /><br />This would not be enough to find education to "world class" standards in the parish; however, it would show that Mr. Pastorek truly has the interests of public school children in his heart. Having never attended a public school, this donation would demonstrate that the state superintendent of education isn't really looking out for his own and his private/charter school allies' agenda.Eric L.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-66934453635953184312009-04-03T09:47:00.000-07:002009-04-03T09:47:00.000-07:00I think there is a misinterpretation of the term "...I think there is a misinterpretation of the term "Teach to the Test". Instaed of focusing all year on THE TEST, if teachers will focus on the standards and GLE's, then they will be focusing on the material that is being tested, therefore teaching TO the test. The same GLE's and benchmarks that the teachers use to plan their lessons are used to write the tests. If a teacher spends the year teaching to the GLE's and standards that he or she is required to address, then he or she has taught TO the test. I don't believe focusing on small parts of the test will make students test scores rise, and spending 6 weeks teaching students "how to be good test takers" will not benefit students either. When students can successfully learn the topics addressed in the GLE's, then they will be successful on THE TEST. Therein lies the difference between "Teaching FOR the Test or Teaching THE test" and "Teaching TO the Test".Ouchita Parish Teachernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320142526463519217.post-85942500554330587032009-03-03T16:38:00.000-08:002009-03-03T16:38:00.000-08:00So which is it? Do they want to retain teachers or...So which is it? Do they want to retain teachers or get rid of teachers by relinquishing tenure?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com