Despite ongoing political attacks on unions and public employees by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, University of Wisconsin faculty members across the state continue to vote for union representation. The latest organizing victory came on March 24, when faculty at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls voted 148-16 in favor of union representation by the AFT and AFT-Wisconsin.
"This landslide election, along with the four other recent University of Wisconsin campus union victories, demonstrates that workers—in this instance, UW-River Falls faculty—will not let Gov. Walker's anti-democratic, anti-worker ideological agenda deny them their right to form a union," says AFT president Randi Weingarten.
To read the rest of this article, please click here.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
School budgets slashed "all over the state"
From Advocate reporter Will Sentell, confirmation of what LFT has been saying for weeks. School systems all around Louisiana are on the brink of disaster.
Panel dissects Superman
LFT President Steve Monaghan, left, makes a point during a panel discussion of the documentary Waiting for Superman. Monaghan described the film as a dishonest, partisan attack on public education and the dedicated teachers who work in our schools. With Monaghan on the panel are Lafourche Parish Superintendent of Schools Jo Ann Matthews, moderator Barry Erwin, State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek and Albemarle Corp. Assistant Treasurer Lorin Crenshaw.
To read a flier handed out by members of the East Baton Rouge Federation of Teachers at the screening, please click here.
Advocate reporter covered the screening of the film for this story.
Monday, March 21, 2011
A preemptive strike on Superman...
On Tuesday night, Governor Bobby Jindal and leaders of the legislature will host a screening of the documentary film Waiting for Superman, as dishonest an attack on public education as has ever been committed to celluloid.
Don't take our word for that. Education historian Diane Ravitch wrote a devastating critique of the film for the New York Review of Books last November, in which she said "The message of the film is clear. Public schools are bad, privately managed charter schools are good."
As a piece of anti-public school propaganda, the film succeeds nicely. But it only does so by skirting or ignoring inconvenient facts that don't fit its preconceived agenda.
As Ravitch puts it, "Some fact-checking is in order, and the place to start is with the film's quiet acknowledgement that only one in five charter schools is able to get the 'amazing results' that it celebrates. Nothing more is said about this astonishing statistic."
Here is that statistic, from the well researched CREDO study. After surveying math tests in half of the nation's 5,000 charter schools, the report found that:
The dishonesty of Superman goes beyond willful ignorance, all the way to deliberate distortion and, the ultimate sin of a documentary film, a faked scene. Washington Post writer Valerie Strauss revealed the quackery in this article, which gives the likely reason why Waiting for Superman was not nominated for an Academy Award.
Strauss wrote, "The snub to Davis Guggenheim’s tendentious film was well-deserved, given that classic documentaries are factual and straightforward, and don’t, as did Superman, fake scenes for emotional impact."
In another column, Strauss reprinted a point-by-point refutation of Waiting for Superman's anti-public school agenda.
There is no doubt that public education has its problems. Those problems are overwhelmingly associated with poverty and lack of opportunity in too many of our urban and rural school districts.
The solution to these problems does not lie in demonizing teachers and their unions, or in funneling public school funds to entrepreneurial enterprises that have captured the fancy of billionaire dilettantes.
If there is a silver lining to Superman's cloud, it is that the film may motivate people to support real solutions to help all children - not just those lucky enough to win a lottery - receive the education they deserve.
Those solutions include:
Don't take our word for that. Education historian Diane Ravitch wrote a devastating critique of the film for the New York Review of Books last November, in which she said "The message of the film is clear. Public schools are bad, privately managed charter schools are good."
As a piece of anti-public school propaganda, the film succeeds nicely. But it only does so by skirting or ignoring inconvenient facts that don't fit its preconceived agenda.
As Ravitch puts it, "Some fact-checking is in order, and the place to start is with the film's quiet acknowledgement that only one in five charter schools is able to get the 'amazing results' that it celebrates. Nothing more is said about this astonishing statistic."
Here is that statistic, from the well researched CREDO study. After surveying math tests in half of the nation's 5,000 charter schools, the report found that:
- 46% had academic gains no different than those of a similar public school
- 37% were worse than a similar public school
- Only 17% were superior to a similar public school
The dishonesty of Superman goes beyond willful ignorance, all the way to deliberate distortion and, the ultimate sin of a documentary film, a faked scene. Washington Post writer Valerie Strauss revealed the quackery in this article, which gives the likely reason why Waiting for Superman was not nominated for an Academy Award.
Strauss wrote, "The snub to Davis Guggenheim’s tendentious film was well-deserved, given that classic documentaries are factual and straightforward, and don’t, as did Superman, fake scenes for emotional impact."
In another column, Strauss reprinted a point-by-point refutation of Waiting for Superman's anti-public school agenda.
There is no doubt that public education has its problems. Those problems are overwhelmingly associated with poverty and lack of opportunity in too many of our urban and rural school districts.
The solution to these problems does not lie in demonizing teachers and their unions, or in funneling public school funds to entrepreneurial enterprises that have captured the fancy of billionaire dilettantes.
If there is a silver lining to Superman's cloud, it is that the film may motivate people to support real solutions to help all children - not just those lucky enough to win a lottery - receive the education they deserve.
Those solutions include:
- Developing great teachers through revamping preparatory programs for teachers and overhauling teacher development and evaluation programs.
- Ensuring supportive educational leaders
- Creating robust curricula
- Creating conditions that promote learning for all children
- Ensuring shared responsibility and mutual accountability that holds everyone responsible for fixing our schools, not just teachers.
(You might also be interested in this article, "Inside Job or Superman: Which one better explains the School crisis," by Kevin Welner. Inside Job, which did win the Oscar for best documentary, explains how Wall Street greed, deregulation and the inequality of wealth in the nation led to the great recession of 2000. Those same issues, Welner argues, play a big role in the "bleak educational future" faced by too many American families.)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Is Louisiana a state in decline?
Just the FAX is a newsletter sent to state legislators each Friday from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. Issues are available online here.
Governor Jindal released his budget plan last week, and it does not bode well for Louisiana. The $24.9 billion proposal sacrifices education, health care, and the quality of life that could provide a bright future for the families of our state. While promising to “do more with less,” the plan guarantees that there will simply be less of everything that makes a state attractive.
Communities are already in crisis as a direct result of fiscal policies over the past few years. In recent weeks, school systems in Livingston, Tangiphoa and Webster Parishes declared financial emergencies. In the past few days, school boards in St. Martin and East Baton Rouge parishes announced that they will lay off employees.
The loss of those jobs will have a ripple effect that is felt throughout local economies, as former teachers and school employees cut back on their spending, trying to make ends meet. Local businesses will suffer, and sales tax collections will go down. It seems like the beginning of a death spiral for communities across the state.
To read the rest of the article, please click here.
Governor Jindal released his budget plan last week, and it does not bode well for Louisiana. The $24.9 billion proposal sacrifices education, health care, and the quality of life that could provide a bright future for the families of our state. While promising to “do more with less,” the plan guarantees that there will simply be less of everything that makes a state attractive.
Communities are already in crisis as a direct result of fiscal policies over the past few years. In recent weeks, school systems in Livingston, Tangiphoa and Webster Parishes declared financial emergencies. In the past few days, school boards in St. Martin and East Baton Rouge parishes announced that they will lay off employees.
The loss of those jobs will have a ripple effect that is felt throughout local economies, as former teachers and school employees cut back on their spending, trying to make ends meet. Local businesses will suffer, and sales tax collections will go down. It seems like the beginning of a death spiral for communities across the state.
To read the rest of the article, please click here.
More school districts announce layoffs
The East Baton Rouge School Board has now announced that there will be a reduction in force (story here by Advocate reporter Charles Lussiere), and so has the St. Martin Parish School Board (reported here on Lafayette's KLFY-TV).
Three other school systems - Webster Parish, Tangipahoa Parish and Livingston Parish - have declared financial emergencies, and may lay off teachers and school employees. (Click here for more information on declarations of exigency or crisis).
These job losses make a mockery of Gov. Jindal's glib assertion that he has protected K-12 funding. Truth is, we've lost millions, and now people will lose their jobs. That will ripple through local economies when teachers and school employees lose their ability to spend.
This is not an economic crisis that can be solved by cuts alone. Revenues must be part of the solution. More information is available on the LFT Web site here, and from Better Choices for a Better Louisiana.
Three other school systems - Webster Parish, Tangipahoa Parish and Livingston Parish - have declared financial emergencies, and may lay off teachers and school employees. (Click here for more information on declarations of exigency or crisis).
These job losses make a mockery of Gov. Jindal's glib assertion that he has protected K-12 funding. Truth is, we've lost millions, and now people will lose their jobs. That will ripple through local economies when teachers and school employees lose their ability to spend.
This is not an economic crisis that can be solved by cuts alone. Revenues must be part of the solution. More information is available on the LFT Web site here, and from Better Choices for a Better Louisiana.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Report: LSU falls in rankings
The $300 million cut from higher education budgets over the past few years is having an effect. US News and World Report says our flagship, LSU, is dropping in national comparisons of graduate schools.
As reported here in The Advocate, LSU's graduate programs in law, business, and education all lost ground; only engineering advanced in national rankings.
As reported here in The Advocate, LSU's graduate programs in law, business, and education all lost ground; only engineering advanced in national rankings.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Jindal's budget shifts burden to working families
The $24.9 billion state budget proposed by Gov. Bobby Jindal places more of the responsibility for funding public services on middle-class tax payers and working families, while continuing to give big advantages to large corporations and the energy industry.
In addition, members of the Joint Budget Committee pointed out on Friday, the governor’s plan relies on one-time revenues and “imaginary dollars” to balance the budget.
What are imaginary dollars? That’s revenue that will not be available unless the legislature approves some of the administration’s plans in the upcoming session, and unless voters approve constitutional amendments that Jindal is counting on. That means it could be next October before we know for certain whether or not the money in the governor’s budget will even exist.
Here are the sources of the “imaginary dollars”:
When considered in combination with a recent report from the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference, it’s clear what is happening in Louisiana.
To read the rest of this article, please click here.
In addition, members of the Joint Budget Committee pointed out on Friday, the governor’s plan relies on one-time revenues and “imaginary dollars” to balance the budget.
What are imaginary dollars? That’s revenue that will not be available unless the legislature approves some of the administration’s plans in the upcoming session, and unless voters approve constitutional amendments that Jindal is counting on. That means it could be next October before we know for certain whether or not the money in the governor’s budget will even exist.
Here are the sources of the “imaginary dollars”:
- The sale and privatization of two state prisons, which requires legislative approval.
- An increase in employee contributions for most members of the State Employees Retirement System from eight percent to 11 percent, which requires legislative approval.
- The redirecting of dedicated funds to TOPS, a constitutional amendment which requires both legislative approval and approval by voters.
When considered in combination with a recent report from the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference, it’s clear what is happening in Louisiana.
To read the rest of this article, please click here.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
AP: Jindal budget hits the poor and at-risk
Associated Press reporter Melinda Deslatte explains Governor Jindal's budget in this article, published in Bloomberg Businessweek:
"Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's $24.9 billion budget would close outpatient pharmacies for the poor, scrap at-risk youth education programs and cut funds for charity hospital care, parks and museums, and state employees."
Read the rest of the article.
"Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's $24.9 billion budget would close outpatient pharmacies for the poor, scrap at-risk youth education programs and cut funds for charity hospital care, parks and museums, and state employees."
Read the rest of the article.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Legislative FAX weekly: March 11, 2011
While much of Louisiana was celebrating Lundi Gras on Monday, the states’ Revenue Estimating Conference met to offer one last revision before Governor Jindal announces his budget plan.
Reporters covering the event focused on the addition of $112 million to the current revenue forecast, and another $65 million to next year’s forecast. Any additional revenue is welcome during this fiscal crisis, but let’s face it: With a $1.6 billion deficit looming, $178 million is little more than a hoot in a hurricane.
Much more important to our budget, but almost ignored by the media, was the Revenue Estimating Conference’s report on the effect that some tax exemptions are having on state revenues.
To read more, click here and visit the Legislative FAX page on the LFT Web site.
Reporters covering the event focused on the addition of $112 million to the current revenue forecast, and another $65 million to next year’s forecast. Any additional revenue is welcome during this fiscal crisis, but let’s face it: With a $1.6 billion deficit looming, $178 million is little more than a hoot in a hurricane.
Much more important to our budget, but almost ignored by the media, was the Revenue Estimating Conference’s report on the effect that some tax exemptions are having on state revenues.
To read more, click here and visit the Legislative FAX page on the LFT Web site.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Duncan: No Child Left Behind is unworkable and must be changed
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has finally come to the same conclusion that teachers around the nation reached years ago: the No Child Left Behind Act is a recipe for disaster. It is set up to guarantee that schools appear to be failing and that teachers are at fault.
As reported here by the Washington Post's Nick Anderson, Duncan told the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that the flawed law will soon stigmatize three quarters of American schools as failures.
Said Duncan, "This law is fundamentally broken, and we need to fix it, and fix it this year. The law has created dozens of ways for schools to fail and very few ways to help them succeed. We should get out of the business of labeling schools as failures and create a new law that is fair and flexible and focused on the schools and students most at risk."
The act, passed in 2002 as former President George W. Bush's signature education initiative, has been heavily criticized for overemphasizing standardized tests and for its unreachable goal requiring all children to become proficient in math and reading.
As reported here by the Washington Post's Nick Anderson, Duncan told the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that the flawed law will soon stigmatize three quarters of American schools as failures.
Said Duncan, "This law is fundamentally broken, and we need to fix it, and fix it this year. The law has created dozens of ways for schools to fail and very few ways to help them succeed. We should get out of the business of labeling schools as failures and create a new law that is fair and flexible and focused on the schools and students most at risk."
The act, passed in 2002 as former President George W. Bush's signature education initiative, has been heavily criticized for overemphasizing standardized tests and for its unreachable goal requiring all children to become proficient in math and reading.
What will Jindal cut?
What will Gov. Jindal say when he addresses the joint budget committee tomorrow morning? As Advocate reporter Michelle Millhollon notes in this article, very few hints have been dropped by the administration.
Jindal has said that he can keep higher education cuts in the 10% range, but how is that possible, what with a $1.6 billion shortfall looming. The part of the budget that lawmakers can easily cut - the nondiscretionary portion of the general fund - is just $2.6 billion, so we're talking about a cut on the magnitude of 62% for the budget to be balanced. Higher education and health care constitute two-thirds of that.
Thus far, the governor is sticking to his resolve not to raise taxes or tighten any of the state's generous tax loopholes. The upcoming fiscal legislative session won't be fun for anyone.
Jindal has said that he can keep higher education cuts in the 10% range, but how is that possible, what with a $1.6 billion shortfall looming. The part of the budget that lawmakers can easily cut - the nondiscretionary portion of the general fund - is just $2.6 billion, so we're talking about a cut on the magnitude of 62% for the budget to be balanced. Higher education and health care constitute two-thirds of that.
Thus far, the governor is sticking to his resolve not to raise taxes or tighten any of the state's generous tax loopholes. The upcoming fiscal legislative session won't be fun for anyone.
Post Mardi Gras catch-up
A few items we may have missed during the revelry...
Diane Ravitch: It all started with "No Child Left Behind." In this New York Times opinion piece, the feisty education historian traces the roots of the "campaign of vilification directed at our nation's more than three million teachers" to the passage of NCLB in 2002.
Ravitch persuasively argues that the act mandates an unreachable goal and effectively dooms all public schools to be labeled failures. And while the act was a product of the Bush administration, the Obama crowd "took the attacks on teachers to a new level" by holding "teachers alone accountable for student effort."
Shreveport Times: Union sticks up for battered teachers. The Caddo Federation of Teachers is up in arms after three middle school students were arrested after an on-campus rumble that resulted in a teacher being knocked to the ground.
Caddo Federation President Jackie Lansdale told The Times that the incident was just the tip of an iceberg, and that the administration does little to protect educators from student violence.
"They don't feel safe and they don't feel they have the administrative support to back them up," Lansdale said.
Obama warns against education budget cuts. Education Week carried this Associated Press story, in which President Barack Obama "characterized any reductions in money for education as irresponsible and harmful to the long-term health of the nation's economy."
The story notes that the president will go to bat for education this year, "linking educational excellence to jobs and private-sector competitiveness."
Diane Ravitch: It all started with "No Child Left Behind." In this New York Times opinion piece, the feisty education historian traces the roots of the "campaign of vilification directed at our nation's more than three million teachers" to the passage of NCLB in 2002.
Ravitch persuasively argues that the act mandates an unreachable goal and effectively dooms all public schools to be labeled failures. And while the act was a product of the Bush administration, the Obama crowd "took the attacks on teachers to a new level" by holding "teachers alone accountable for student effort."
Shreveport Times: Union sticks up for battered teachers. The Caddo Federation of Teachers is up in arms after three middle school students were arrested after an on-campus rumble that resulted in a teacher being knocked to the ground.
Caddo Federation President Jackie Lansdale told The Times that the incident was just the tip of an iceberg, and that the administration does little to protect educators from student violence.
"They don't feel safe and they don't feel they have the administrative support to back them up," Lansdale said.
Obama warns against education budget cuts. Education Week carried this Associated Press story, in which President Barack Obama "characterized any reductions in money for education as irresponsible and harmful to the long-term health of the nation's economy."
The story notes that the president will go to bat for education this year, "linking educational excellence to jobs and private-sector competitiveness."
Friday, March 4, 2011
It's getting serious: Your LFT Connection, March 2011
It’s getting very serious. This month, Governor Bobby Jindal will reveal his budget proposal, which must somehow accommodate an expected $1.6 billion shortfall in state general fund revenue.
The problem spreads farther than Louisiana. Across the country, politicians are trying to balance budgets by cutting the salaries, benefits and even the jobs of teachers and other public servants.
Ultra-conservative politicians are trying to blame the crisis on public employees, instead of the Wall Street profiteers who drove our economy over a cliff in 2008. Some are trying to divide public opinion by calling teachers, firefighters and police officers, social workers and park rangers “tax eaters” who don’t deserve decent salaries, health insurance and retirement pensions.
To read the rest of this article, please click here.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
True story
A public union employee, a tea party activist and a CEO are sitting at a table with a plate of a dozen cookies in the middle of it.
The CEO takes 11 of the cookies, turns to the tea partier and says, "Watch out for that union guy. He wants a piece of your cookie."
The CEO takes 11 of the cookies, turns to the tea partier and says, "Watch out for that union guy. He wants a piece of your cookie."
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Poll: Public supports unions, public employees
A new poll published by the New York Times and CBS says that most Americans support public employee unions and collective bargaining rights.
And rather than see public employees such as teachers lose salaries and benefits, more Americans would agree to a tax increase.
The poll, published on February 28, includes these results:
And rather than see public employees such as teachers lose salaries and benefits, more Americans would agree to a tax increase.
The poll, published on February 28, includes these results:
- More Americans have a favorable opinion of unions (33%) than unfavorable (25%), with 19% undecided and 20% needing more information.
- The percentage of Americans who believe labor unions have too much influence over our life and politics is shrinking dramatically.
- A solid majority of American believe that public employee salaries and benefits are either about right or too low: 36% believe the salaries and benefits are about right, 25% believe they are too low, and 26% believe they are too high.
Stewart to teachers: Do you think those apples grow on trees?
The Daily Show's Jon Stewart hilariously takes on the right-wingers who've demonized teachers in this Daily Show clip:
Monday, February 28, 2011
Louisiana supports Wisconsin workers, takes a swipe at Jindal
LFT President Steve Monaghan addresses Saturday's rally in support of Wisconsin public employees.
As Advocate bureau chief Mark Ballard points out in this article, the rally "morphed into a protest of Gov. Bobby Jindal and his handling of state government's budget crisis."
This You Tube video by Leonard Joseph conveys the passion of the crowd at the capitol on Saturday:
LFT President Steve Monaghan joined more than 200 activists on Saturday in support of Wisconsin teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees who are in danger of losing their collective bargaining rights.
As Advocate bureau chief Mark Ballard points out in this article, the rally "morphed into a protest of Gov. Bobby Jindal and his handling of state government's budget crisis."
Monaghan told the reporter that in Wisconsin, like in Louisiana, the budget crisis was largely caused by an avalanche of tax exemptions that state leaders approved in recent years.
This You Tube video by Leonard Joseph conveys the passion of the crowd at the capitol on Saturday:
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Monaghan: Place sunsets on tax exemptions
This week, Gov. Bobby Jindal issued a press release announcing a legislative plan that would, among other things, impose a sunset on fund dedications adopted by the legislature.
In a letter to the editor that is now appearing around the state, LFT President Steve Monaghan gives a nod of approval to the concept, saying that the idea should be applied to the state's 441 tax exemptions as well.
After all, if it is a good idea to periodically review fund dedications to see if they are serving their purpose, isn't the same true of tax exemptions?
Here's the text of Steve's letter:
In a press release issued this week, Gov. Bobby Jindal announced he will propose a package of bills including, among other things, a sunset provision for nearly all of the state's dedicated funds. These are the areas of the budget that are protected by either Constitution or legislation, which reportedly cannot be easily reduced.
And, as in all legislation, the devil sleeps comfortably in the detail, the governor's call for sunsets and reviews of statutorily protected funds speaks to common sense and good government.
The governor makes a strong point when he says these dedicated funds should be inspected by lawmakers on a regular basis to make sure their dedications serve a legitimate purpose, and are working as intended and that the intention satisfies a need and serves the public's interest.
This concept connotes transparency and accountability and it should also be applied to the 441 separate tax exemptions offered by the state that now cost taxpayers more than
$7.1 billion per year in lost revenue.
Is it really necessary to grant exemptions for drilling in the Haynesville gas find at a cost of more than $100 million to the state? Or to exempt sales taxes on purchases of gold bullion or Mardi Gras beads?
Perhaps these and the many other tax exemptions do serve the public well, but we don't know because once adopted, most tax exemptions are never revisited. Two-thirds have no sunset. So, while they can be passed by a simple majority in the legislature, it takes a two-thirds vote to repeal them.
We urge the governor to apply this standard to the tax exemption budget. Put a sunset clause on them, and give lawmakers the information they need to decide whether or not the exemptions should stay on the books.
Steve Monaghan, President
Louisiana Federation of Teachers
In a letter to the editor that is now appearing around the state, LFT President Steve Monaghan gives a nod of approval to the concept, saying that the idea should be applied to the state's 441 tax exemptions as well.
After all, if it is a good idea to periodically review fund dedications to see if they are serving their purpose, isn't the same true of tax exemptions?
Here's the text of Steve's letter:
In a press release issued this week, Gov. Bobby Jindal announced he will propose a package of bills including, among other things, a sunset provision for nearly all of the state's dedicated funds. These are the areas of the budget that are protected by either Constitution or legislation, which reportedly cannot be easily reduced.
And, as in all legislation, the devil sleeps comfortably in the detail, the governor's call for sunsets and reviews of statutorily protected funds speaks to common sense and good government.
The governor makes a strong point when he says these dedicated funds should be inspected by lawmakers on a regular basis to make sure their dedications serve a legitimate purpose, and are working as intended and that the intention satisfies a need and serves the public's interest.
This concept connotes transparency and accountability and it should also be applied to the 441 separate tax exemptions offered by the state that now cost taxpayers more than
$7.1 billion per year in lost revenue.
Is it really necessary to grant exemptions for drilling in the Haynesville gas find at a cost of more than $100 million to the state? Or to exempt sales taxes on purchases of gold bullion or Mardi Gras beads?
Perhaps these and the many other tax exemptions do serve the public well, but we don't know because once adopted, most tax exemptions are never revisited. Two-thirds have no sunset. So, while they can be passed by a simple majority in the legislature, it takes a two-thirds vote to repeal them.
We urge the governor to apply this standard to the tax exemption budget. Put a sunset clause on them, and give lawmakers the information they need to decide whether or not the exemptions should stay on the books.
Steve Monaghan, President
Louisiana Federation of Teachers
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Getting it wrong on LFT and tax breaks
This report from the Associated Press is cropping up in newspapers and on TV stations all around the state. It boldly states that LFT and others "are opposing Gov. Bobby Jindal's plans to seek extensions of several business tax breaks."
The article helpfully explains that Gov. Jindal says the tax breaks "help Louisiana compete for jobs."
To be clear, as was stated in the LFT press release and on our Web page explaining why we believe in Better Choices for a Better Louisiana, we simply want balance and transparency when these tax breaks are considered.
The governor can claim that his tax incentives are luring jobs to the state and are good for the economy. But while Louisiana faces a $1.6 billion budget shortfall, the 441 tax breaks now in existence cost the state $7.1 billion a year in lost revenue.
And who is checking to make sure the tax breaks do indeed bring jobs and enhance our economy? No one. Most tax incentives for businesses have no sunset clause, and are never reexamined once they are created. That's why the legislature passed bills last year requiring hearings to determine how effective these tax incentives are.
Thus far, no hearings have been held. And until they are, we stick to our main point: no further tax exemptions should be granted until we know whether they serve their purpose, or if they are in fact hurting the state's economic development.
The article helpfully explains that Gov. Jindal says the tax breaks "help Louisiana compete for jobs."
To be clear, as was stated in the LFT press release and on our Web page explaining why we believe in Better Choices for a Better Louisiana, we simply want balance and transparency when these tax breaks are considered.
The governor can claim that his tax incentives are luring jobs to the state and are good for the economy. But while Louisiana faces a $1.6 billion budget shortfall, the 441 tax breaks now in existence cost the state $7.1 billion a year in lost revenue.
And who is checking to make sure the tax breaks do indeed bring jobs and enhance our economy? No one. Most tax incentives for businesses have no sunset clause, and are never reexamined once they are created. That's why the legislature passed bills last year requiring hearings to determine how effective these tax incentives are.
Thus far, no hearings have been held. And until they are, we stick to our main point: no further tax exemptions should be granted until we know whether they serve their purpose, or if they are in fact hurting the state's economic development.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Still no "Red Tape" takers
As Will Sentell from The Advocate points out here, no school boards have yet taken Gov. Jindal and Supt. Pastorek up on the Red Tape Act's offer to waive laws and policies.
Even though Pastorek has touted the act as a way to relieve budget stress, there have been no takers.
There are a couple of possible reasons for this hesitancy. As the article notes, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers has filed a suit challenging the act's constitutionality. Perhaps school boards are leery of gearing up for a program that may get snuffed by the courts.
But here's another one: maybe the school boards just don't trust Pastorek and Jindal. As DeSoto Superintendent of Schools Walter Lee observes, a careful reading of the law reveals that it might make it easier for the state to seize control of local schools.
That hasn't worked too well for local systems.
Even though Pastorek has touted the act as a way to relieve budget stress, there have been no takers.
There are a couple of possible reasons for this hesitancy. As the article notes, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers has filed a suit challenging the act's constitutionality. Perhaps school boards are leery of gearing up for a program that may get snuffed by the courts.
But here's another one: maybe the school boards just don't trust Pastorek and Jindal. As DeSoto Superintendent of Schools Walter Lee observes, a careful reading of the law reveals that it might make it easier for the state to seize control of local schools.
That hasn't worked too well for local systems.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Radio show to feature Better Choices for a Better Louisiana
LFT President Steve Monaghan and Louisiana Budget Project Director Eddie Ashworth will be guests on the Jim Engster Show on WRKF-FM, 89.3 on the dial, on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 9:00 A.M. Steve and Eddie will be talking about the Better Choices for a Better Louisiana Coalition, and Louisiana’s need for a fairer, more transparent fiscal base.
If you’re not in WRKF’s range, you can listen online at http://wrkf.org and click on “Listen Live.” If you’re busy in the classroom at 9:00 A.M., you can listen whenever you wish to a WRKF podcast. On their Web site, scroll down to “programs” and click on “podcasts.”
While you’re on the WRKF Web site, please click on “Save Your Station” and send a message to Congress, asking members to fund public radio – the new Republican majority has plans to defund public radio, and we could lose valuable news sources like the Jim Engster show.
If you’re not in WRKF’s range, you can listen online at http://wrkf.org and click on “Listen Live.” If you’re busy in the classroom at 9:00 A.M., you can listen whenever you wish to a WRKF podcast. On their Web site, scroll down to “programs” and click on “podcasts.”
While you’re on the WRKF Web site, please click on “Save Your Station” and send a message to Congress, asking members to fund public radio – the new Republican majority has plans to defund public radio, and we could lose valuable news sources like the Jim Engster show.
Exigency and financial crisis: What does it mean to you?
For the third year in a row, Governor Jindal and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education have agreed to write a Minimum Foundation Program formula without increased funding for schools.
Because of that, school boards around the state are considering a declaration of exigency or financial crisis. Some have already done so.
Teachers and school employees want to know what kind of threat these declarations pose to their schools and their jobs. These FAQs will help answer those questions.
To read more, please click here.
Because of that, school boards around the state are considering a declaration of exigency or financial crisis. Some have already done so.
Teachers and school employees want to know what kind of threat these declarations pose to their schools and their jobs. These FAQs will help answer those questions.
To read more, please click here.
Friday, February 18, 2011
North LA districts oppose letter grades for schools
School boards in Caddo, Bossier, Webster and DeSoto Parishes are united in an effort to ask lawmakers to repeal a state law requiring the assignment of letter grades to public schools, according to this report from KTBS-TV in Shreveport.
Opponents fear the letter grades, required under a law adopted last year, will unfairly label schools as failing.
Perhaps the best understanding of the controversy was expressed in this comment posted under the KTBS story:
Opponents fear the letter grades, required under a law adopted last year, will unfairly label schools as failing.
Perhaps the best understanding of the controversy was expressed in this comment posted under the KTBS story:
This is the state's way of pushing for charter schools. Under this system,
charter schools (as well as private schools) are exempt from accountability. As
we all know, the charter system is a joke. With this scoring system, Only magnet
schools will score a "B" or above. The best neighborhood schools would receive a
"C." Most schools would earn a "D" or "F" based on their current scores. Once
all the schools appear to be failing, the state is going to scream for charter
schools. I'm not an outsider saying this, I really do know what's going on and
we should be outraged.
BESE freezes MFP, crisis declared in school districts
With the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education bowing to Gov. Bobby Jindal's demand for a third frozen year of school funding, districts around the state may be starting to fall into crisis like a line of dominoes.
As Advocate reporter Will Sentell wrote here, BESE agreed to forgo the traditional 2.75% growth factor in the Minimum Foundation Program, which funnels most state funds to local school boards.
BESE member Walter Lee, who is also superintendent of schools in DeSoto Parish, grimly predicted, "It is really going to be difficult for school systems."
The next day, the Livingston Parish School Board declared a "financial exigency" exists in the district, as a direct result of the BESE decision.
Advocate reporter Faimon Roberts put it this way: "The unanimous vote came after Superintendent Bill Spear told the board that by removing a 'growth factor' in its funding formula, the state had cut more than $7 million from Livingston Parish schools for the next three years, including the coming school year."
Teacher and staff layoffs are predicted, and a ripple effect from the cuts is feared. Board member Buddy Mincey Jr. said that the school system has been a driving factor in Livingston Parish's growth. "Strangling" education in Livingston could jeopardize the parish's future growth.
Just over the parish line in Tangipahoa, Superintendent of Schools Mark Kolwe told his board that their system, too, is in a state of exigency, and the board declared a financial crisis.
Hammond Daily Star reporter Bridgette Bonner wrote that layoffs are under consideration there, as well as the elimination of art and music programs, employee step raises, substitute teachers and other important education programs.
And as previously reported in EdLog, Gov. Jindal is recommending even more tax breaks for big business.
As Advocate reporter Will Sentell wrote here, BESE agreed to forgo the traditional 2.75% growth factor in the Minimum Foundation Program, which funnels most state funds to local school boards.
BESE member Walter Lee, who is also superintendent of schools in DeSoto Parish, grimly predicted, "It is really going to be difficult for school systems."
The next day, the Livingston Parish School Board declared a "financial exigency" exists in the district, as a direct result of the BESE decision.
Advocate reporter Faimon Roberts put it this way: "The unanimous vote came after Superintendent Bill Spear told the board that by removing a 'growth factor' in its funding formula, the state had cut more than $7 million from Livingston Parish schools for the next three years, including the coming school year."
Teacher and staff layoffs are predicted, and a ripple effect from the cuts is feared. Board member Buddy Mincey Jr. said that the school system has been a driving factor in Livingston Parish's growth. "Strangling" education in Livingston could jeopardize the parish's future growth.
Just over the parish line in Tangipahoa, Superintendent of Schools Mark Kolwe told his board that their system, too, is in a state of exigency, and the board declared a financial crisis.
Hammond Daily Star reporter Bridgette Bonner wrote that layoffs are under consideration there, as well as the elimination of art and music programs, employee step raises, substitute teachers and other important education programs.
And as previously reported in EdLog, Gov. Jindal is recommending even more tax breaks for big business.
Jindal’s tax breaks another example of bad choices
This Louisiana Federation of Teachers press release is featured in Bayou Buzz.
(Baton Rouge – February 17, 2011) Governor Bobby Jindal’s announcement that he will seek even more tax breaks, adding to the more than 440 already in place, is an example of the poor choices that have contributed to Louisiana's current fiscal crisis, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.
“Just one day after announcing that education funding will be frozen for another year, the governor now says that he wants to add to the more than $7 billion in tax loopholes that are starving the services Louisiana families depend on,” said Monaghan.
“We understand that leadership involves making choices,” Monaghan said. “However, we do not understand the wisdom governing the choice to freeze education funding one day and to choose to expand tax breaks the next.”
The LFT president said the governor and legislature should refrain from extending tax incentives or starting new ones until their effect on the economy and Louisiana communities is understood.
“Last year, the legislature passed bills asking for a thorough review of the 441 tax incentives currently offered by the State of Louisiana,” Monaghan said. “Lawmakers said they want to know how effective the incentives are. Do they attract jobs and grow the economy, or do they add to the bottom line of giant corporations at the expense of health care, education and the quality of life in our state?
“So far, there have been no hearings, and no reports filed on the effect these tax breaks have on our economy,” Monaghan said. “In his statement yesterday, the governor stated that he does not know how much this new round of tax loopholes will cost the state.
“But we already know some of the cost of the current policy. A number of school districts have already declared fiscal exigency, and school districts around the state have announced or are discussing layoffs of teachers and school employees. Access to health care is shrinking. Whole disciplines are being eliminated from our colleges and universities.”
More cuts to vital services and programs are anticipated this year. Lawmakers will enter the legislative session on April 25 facing a $1.6 billion shortfall.
“At the very least, if our teachers, our schools, and our children are asked by our Governor to do more with less, our governor should say ‘no’ to tax breaks are until we know if these breaks or helping or hurting the state.”
(Baton Rouge – February 17, 2011) Governor Bobby Jindal’s announcement that he will seek even more tax breaks, adding to the more than 440 already in place, is an example of the poor choices that have contributed to Louisiana's current fiscal crisis, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.
“Just one day after announcing that education funding will be frozen for another year, the governor now says that he wants to add to the more than $7 billion in tax loopholes that are starving the services Louisiana families depend on,” said Monaghan.
“We understand that leadership involves making choices,” Monaghan said. “However, we do not understand the wisdom governing the choice to freeze education funding one day and to choose to expand tax breaks the next.”
The LFT president said the governor and legislature should refrain from extending tax incentives or starting new ones until their effect on the economy and Louisiana communities is understood.
“Last year, the legislature passed bills asking for a thorough review of the 441 tax incentives currently offered by the State of Louisiana,” Monaghan said. “Lawmakers said they want to know how effective the incentives are. Do they attract jobs and grow the economy, or do they add to the bottom line of giant corporations at the expense of health care, education and the quality of life in our state?
“So far, there have been no hearings, and no reports filed on the effect these tax breaks have on our economy,” Monaghan said. “In his statement yesterday, the governor stated that he does not know how much this new round of tax loopholes will cost the state.
“But we already know some of the cost of the current policy. A number of school districts have already declared fiscal exigency, and school districts around the state have announced or are discussing layoffs of teachers and school employees. Access to health care is shrinking. Whole disciplines are being eliminated from our colleges and universities.”
More cuts to vital services and programs are anticipated this year. Lawmakers will enter the legislative session on April 25 facing a $1.6 billion shortfall.
“At the very least, if our teachers, our schools, and our children are asked by our Governor to do more with less, our governor should say ‘no’ to tax breaks are until we know if these breaks or helping or hurting the state.”
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Connecting the tax loophole dots
On Tuesday, Gov. Bobby Jindal announced that he will freeze spending for K-12 education for a third straight year.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jindal announced yet more tax breaks for big business in the state.
Also this week, it was reported that teacher layoffs are "imminent" in Livingston Parish. They're not alone. School districts around the state considering layoffs reportedly include Jefferson, Tangipahoa, East Baton Rouge, Webster, St. Martin and others.
Connecting the dots, it's easy to see where our leaders' priorities lie and where their choices are taking us.
Better choices can be made. We don't have to provide even more tax loopholes without, as the governor admits, even knowing how much they will cost the state.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jindal announced yet more tax breaks for big business in the state.
Also this week, it was reported that teacher layoffs are "imminent" in Livingston Parish. They're not alone. School districts around the state considering layoffs reportedly include Jefferson, Tangipahoa, East Baton Rouge, Webster, St. Martin and others.
Connecting the dots, it's easy to see where our leaders' priorities lie and where their choices are taking us.
Better choices can be made. We don't have to provide even more tax loopholes without, as the governor admits, even knowing how much they will cost the state.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Federal government could also make some better choices
Louisiana apparently is not the only place suffering from the bad choices politicians can make.
According to this Education Week article by Alyson Klein, the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is poised to adopt a budget that would strip $5 billion from education in the current fiscal year.
That's billion with a "B." Fortunately, President Obama is prepared to veto the bill.
Looks like we need to expand the Better Choices for a Better Louisiana campaign to Better Choices for a Better USA.
According to this Education Week article by Alyson Klein, the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is poised to adopt a budget that would strip $5 billion from education in the current fiscal year.
That's billion with a "B." Fortunately, President Obama is prepared to veto the bill.
Looks like we need to expand the Better Choices for a Better Louisiana campaign to Better Choices for a Better USA.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Is TAP a magic education bullet?
This article in Sunday's Advocate by reporter C.J. Futch ought to open a dialog about the value of TAP, a school improvement program created by disgraced financier Michael Milken's family foundation.
There's little doubt that scores have risen at the Ascension Parish schools spotlighted by the article. But are those improvements due solely to Milken's proprietary program, or are there elements of it that can be successfully implemented at any school?
As LFT President Steve Monaghan’ points out in the article, TAP is only as good as its administration. The program was a failure in Calcasieu Parish, for example, where it was ousted from schools because of complaints from educators.
What does TAP get right? Its system of imbedded professional development is spot on, and teachers work collaboratively to reinforce learning school wide. The program's use of master teachers and mentor teachers is also a positive. Teachers can assume more responsibility and earn higher salaries without leaving the classroom to become administrators.
It all comes at a cost, however. As the article points out, it costs an extra $350 to $400 per student to implement TAP. Thus far, the money has come from federal grants, but as those are phased out, it is expected that other funds - competitive grants or donations from local businesses - will take up the slack.
There is only so much corporate largesse, so the question is begged: is this a model that can truly be sustained and applied to all schools? Or will the first ones into the program siphon the available funds, leaving the rest at the bottom of a Ponzi-style pyramid?
While the embedded professional development has solid, research-based foundations, the aspect of the program earning the most attention is the system of bonuses paid to teachers whose students show improvement.
Research linking school improvement to financial incentives is scant to nonexistent, but the idea of bonuses appeals to free marketers and earns publicity for the program. Notice that he Advocate headline focuses on the bonuses, not on the professional development or collaboration.
Under the Milken plan, teachers don't start winning bonuses until the third year of TAP implementation. But scores at the Ascension schools started improving immediately, which seems to indicate that the bonuses alone can't account for the improvement.
In Ascension Parish, the article says, teachers have earned bonuses ranging from $350 to $5,000. How is the amount given to each teacher determined?
You can't find that out. The evaluation used to apportion bonuses is considered a TAP proprietary trade secret. Teachers in the program are not even allowed to discuss their bonuses with each other. If you want transparency, TAP is not for you.
Do we really want the evaluation of our schools and teachers to depend on a trade secret?
TAP supporters say their evaluation plan is so well designed that it is virtually impossible for a teacher to be unfairly evaluated, and that there is little need for due process protections that allow challenges to the awards.
In the real world, that seems hard to swallow.
In survey after survey, teachers say that bonus pay is not what is needed to improve student achievement. Better professional development, improved discipline, more parental involvement and less stress on standardized testing all rank higher when teachers are asked their preferences.
There is little doubt that some high-ranking state education officials hope that TAP will be the model chosen by Louisiana schools to boost student performance. That is a decision that needs thorough discussion and debate. All the information about TAP needs to be on the table before it is adopted wholesale in the state.
There's little doubt that scores have risen at the Ascension Parish schools spotlighted by the article. But are those improvements due solely to Milken's proprietary program, or are there elements of it that can be successfully implemented at any school?
As LFT President Steve Monaghan’ points out in the article, TAP is only as good as its administration. The program was a failure in Calcasieu Parish, for example, where it was ousted from schools because of complaints from educators.
What does TAP get right? Its system of imbedded professional development is spot on, and teachers work collaboratively to reinforce learning school wide. The program's use of master teachers and mentor teachers is also a positive. Teachers can assume more responsibility and earn higher salaries without leaving the classroom to become administrators.
It all comes at a cost, however. As the article points out, it costs an extra $350 to $400 per student to implement TAP. Thus far, the money has come from federal grants, but as those are phased out, it is expected that other funds - competitive grants or donations from local businesses - will take up the slack.
There is only so much corporate largesse, so the question is begged: is this a model that can truly be sustained and applied to all schools? Or will the first ones into the program siphon the available funds, leaving the rest at the bottom of a Ponzi-style pyramid?
While the embedded professional development has solid, research-based foundations, the aspect of the program earning the most attention is the system of bonuses paid to teachers whose students show improvement.
Research linking school improvement to financial incentives is scant to nonexistent, but the idea of bonuses appeals to free marketers and earns publicity for the program. Notice that he Advocate headline focuses on the bonuses, not on the professional development or collaboration.
Under the Milken plan, teachers don't start winning bonuses until the third year of TAP implementation. But scores at the Ascension schools started improving immediately, which seems to indicate that the bonuses alone can't account for the improvement.
In Ascension Parish, the article says, teachers have earned bonuses ranging from $350 to $5,000. How is the amount given to each teacher determined?
You can't find that out. The evaluation used to apportion bonuses is considered a TAP proprietary trade secret. Teachers in the program are not even allowed to discuss their bonuses with each other. If you want transparency, TAP is not for you.
Do we really want the evaluation of our schools and teachers to depend on a trade secret?
TAP supporters say their evaluation plan is so well designed that it is virtually impossible for a teacher to be unfairly evaluated, and that there is little need for due process protections that allow challenges to the awards.
In the real world, that seems hard to swallow.
In survey after survey, teachers say that bonus pay is not what is needed to improve student achievement. Better professional development, improved discipline, more parental involvement and less stress on standardized testing all rank higher when teachers are asked their preferences.
There is little doubt that some high-ranking state education officials hope that TAP will be the model chosen by Louisiana schools to boost student performance. That is a decision that needs thorough discussion and debate. All the information about TAP needs to be on the table before it is adopted wholesale in the state.
Friday, February 11, 2011
LFT President promotes Better Choices in Advocate letter
This has been a great week for the Better Choices for a Better Louisiana campaign. Check out Steve Monaghan’s letter to the editor in The Advocate.
Monaghan's letter cites two articles recently mentioned in EdLog, one by Marsha Shuler and one by Ted Griggs:
The Advocate articles addressed issues that Better Choices has been discussing for months.
This week, the Better Choices coalition began a series of round table discussions with community leaders. Wednesday in New Orleans, and Tuesday in Baton Rouge. Coming in the next few weeks are meetings in Alexandria, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Shreveport and Monroe.
Monaghan's letter cites two articles recently mentioned in EdLog, one by Marsha Shuler and one by Ted Griggs:
Reporter Marsha Shuler’s interview with House Speaker Jim Tucker revealed
this fact: The amount we allow as tax exemptions is almost equal to our general
fund revenue.
Speaker Tucker’s acknowledgement that lawmakers may have to look at tax
loopholes as part of the solution was a welcome, honest contribution to a very
necessary public dialogue.
On Saturday, Ted Griggs’ report on the absence of severance taxes from
the Haynesville shale wells reinforced our strong belief that Louisiana’s tax
exemption policies must be more thoroughly examined.
The Advocate articles addressed issues that Better Choices has been discussing for months.
This week, the Better Choices coalition began a series of round table discussions with community leaders. Wednesday in New Orleans, and Tuesday in Baton Rouge. Coming in the next few weeks are meetings in Alexandria, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Shreveport and Monroe.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
RSD failing to improve Baton Rouge schools
Yet more evidence is emerging that state bureaucrats can't do any better - and in some cases are worse - than locally elected public school boards at improving our schools.
This story by Advocate reporter Will Sentell includes whines from Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek about how long it takes to effect changes in a school.
Also whining is a spokesperson for Advance Baton Rouge, an organization that runs two schools on behalf of the state, schools in which scores have significantly declined since the takeover.
Those schools, the flack says, ought to improve because of a $13.2 million grant coming their way to improve teacher quality.
Remember when they used to say you can't solve a problem by throwing money at it?
This story by Advocate reporter Will Sentell includes whines from Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek about how long it takes to effect changes in a school.
Also whining is a spokesperson for Advance Baton Rouge, an organization that runs two schools on behalf of the state, schools in which scores have significantly declined since the takeover.
Those schools, the flack says, ought to improve because of a $13.2 million grant coming their way to improve teacher quality.
Remember when they used to say you can't solve a problem by throwing money at it?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Haynesville shale: Louisiana can make better choices!
It's a story that was predicted by the Better Choices for a Better Louisiana Coalition: our state is missing out on many millions of dollars because of ill-conceived tax breaks granted to drillers profiting from the Haynesville shale bonanza.
In today's Advocate, reporter Ted Griggs exposes the near-scandalous fact that one of the richest gas finds in history will contribute almost nothing to a state that is facing a $1.6 billion shortfall in the coming legislative session.
Health care is going to suffer. Higher education will continue to lose professors, degree programs and research facilities. Roads and bridges will keep on crumbling. K-12 funding will suffer, and teachers will be fired (St. Martin Parish just announced that it is losing one teacher in each of its schools).
As Griggs reports, there are more than 800 wells in production in North Louisiana's Haynesville find, and most of them will contribute not one penny of severance taxes to the state.
Why? Because they are subject to a tax exemption for two years, and most of these short-lived wells play out within 18 months. There are huge profits for energy companies, but nothing for the state which is surrendering its mineral wealth.
Haynesville is just one example of hundreds of tax loopholes that cost the state more than $7 billion a year - almost as much as is collected for the state's general fund. While some tax breaks may benefit the people of Louisiana, others, like Haynesville, cost us dearly.
The Louisiana Federation of Teachers has been involved in this issue for months. In November, we participated with other Better Choices Coalition members in a press conference on the steps of the capitol, asking lawmakers to take a hard look at tax exemptions.
Later that month, at a convention themed Better Choices for a Better Louisiana, experts from the Louisiana Budget Project and LSU's Manship School of Mass Communication explained how Louisiana got into this mess, and what can be done about it.
We know we can do better. We know we can make better choices. Please visit the Better Choices for a Better Louisiana Coalition Web site to learn more.
In today's Advocate, reporter Ted Griggs exposes the near-scandalous fact that one of the richest gas finds in history will contribute almost nothing to a state that is facing a $1.6 billion shortfall in the coming legislative session.
Health care is going to suffer. Higher education will continue to lose professors, degree programs and research facilities. Roads and bridges will keep on crumbling. K-12 funding will suffer, and teachers will be fired (St. Martin Parish just announced that it is losing one teacher in each of its schools).
As Griggs reports, there are more than 800 wells in production in North Louisiana's Haynesville find, and most of them will contribute not one penny of severance taxes to the state.
Why? Because they are subject to a tax exemption for two years, and most of these short-lived wells play out within 18 months. There are huge profits for energy companies, but nothing for the state which is surrendering its mineral wealth.
Haynesville is just one example of hundreds of tax loopholes that cost the state more than $7 billion a year - almost as much as is collected for the state's general fund. While some tax breaks may benefit the people of Louisiana, others, like Haynesville, cost us dearly.
The Louisiana Federation of Teachers has been involved in this issue for months. In November, we participated with other Better Choices Coalition members in a press conference on the steps of the capitol, asking lawmakers to take a hard look at tax exemptions.
Later that month, at a convention themed Better Choices for a Better Louisiana, experts from the Louisiana Budget Project and LSU's Manship School of Mass Communication explained how Louisiana got into this mess, and what can be done about it.
We know we can do better. We know we can make better choices. Please visit the Better Choices for a Better Louisiana Coalition Web site to learn more.
Friday, February 4, 2011
RSD loses 180 computers
After three years in office, the Jindal administration admits that more than $23 million worth of state property has gone missing.
As this report from FOX8 investigative reporter Lee Zurik reveals, one chunk of that total was ripped from the state Recovery School District in New Orleans:
Maybe the loss can help explain why the per-pupil expenditure in the RSD is nearly twice that of the state's other public schools.
As this report from FOX8 investigative reporter Lee Zurik reveals, one chunk of that total was ripped from the state Recovery School District in New Orleans:
State records show on September 10, 2009, the Recovery School District
purchased 180 computers worth $746 each. About one year later, those same
records show all 180 computers are missing. They were purchased for $134,000.
Maybe the loss can help explain why the per-pupil expenditure in the RSD is nearly twice that of the state's other public schools.
Red tape act and class size
When advocates of Gov. Jindal's so-called Red Tape Reduction act say that larger class sizes are part of their school improvement agenda, they are plugging into a new national theme. These people share their bad ideas.
The latest to jump on the bigger-can-be-better bandwagon is the new Washington, D.C. school chancellor, Kaya Henderson. In an interview with the Washington Post, she admitted that increasing class size is on the table:
You'll hear the same twaddle in Louisiana, when those who want to educate our children on the cheap say that class size doesn't really matter if you have a highly effective teacher in the room. So let's load it up with 40 children.
The better solution is to have two classes of 20 children with highly effective teachers.
Louisiana has a state law that mandates smaller class sizes. The Red Tape Reduction and Local Waiver Empowerment Act was written to help get around laws that govern public education in our state. It has very little to do with improving education, and it is in sync with a national agenda that is not necessarily in the best interests of our children, our schools or our professional educators.
The latest to jump on the bigger-can-be-better bandwagon is the new Washington, D.C. school chancellor, Kaya Henderson. In an interview with the Washington Post, she admitted that increasing class size is on the table:
At the same time I know for sure when you have an excellent teacher in a
classroom -- and I've seen this -- that principals will put additional kids in a
classroom, up to 40. And if the teacher can handle those 40 kids they are better
served by that one highly effective teacher than splitting that class into two
classes of 20 [where] you can't guarantee are both are highly effective
teachers.
You'll hear the same twaddle in Louisiana, when those who want to educate our children on the cheap say that class size doesn't really matter if you have a highly effective teacher in the room. So let's load it up with 40 children.
The better solution is to have two classes of 20 children with highly effective teachers.
Louisiana has a state law that mandates smaller class sizes. The Red Tape Reduction and Local Waiver Empowerment Act was written to help get around laws that govern public education in our state. It has very little to do with improving education, and it is in sync with a national agenda that is not necessarily in the best interests of our children, our schools or our professional educators.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
House speaker considering better choices
The message of the Better Choices for a Better Louisiana campaign seems to be sinking in. Speaker of the House Jim Tucker is acknowledging that the $7.1 billion the state surrenders in the form of various tax breaks will be looked at in the upcoming legislative session.
According to this story by Advocate reporter Marsha Shuler, Tucker told the Louisiana Hospital Association that the state grants nearly as much in various exemptions as is actually collected for the general fund.
Unless the list of more than 440 exemptions is put into play, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to fill the expected $1.6 billion budget hole this spring.
That's old news to followers of the Better Choices campaign - it was last November 18 when the coalition held its press conference on the capitol steps. At that time, the coalition asked lawmakers to declare a moratorium on new tax exemptions and to take a close look at existing loopholes.
A lot more information about Better Choices is available. The Louisiana Federation of Teachers has set up a Better Choices for a Better Louisiana resource page, and the coalition has established its own Web site.
According to this story by Advocate reporter Marsha Shuler, Tucker told the Louisiana Hospital Association that the state grants nearly as much in various exemptions as is actually collected for the general fund.
Unless the list of more than 440 exemptions is put into play, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to fill the expected $1.6 billion budget hole this spring.
That's old news to followers of the Better Choices campaign - it was last November 18 when the coalition held its press conference on the capitol steps. At that time, the coalition asked lawmakers to declare a moratorium on new tax exemptions and to take a close look at existing loopholes.
A lot more information about Better Choices is available. The Louisiana Federation of Teachers has set up a Better Choices for a Better Louisiana resource page, and the coalition has established its own Web site.
For true believers, facts don't matter
If you've ever tried to convince horoscope-believing friends that the alignment of stars and planets stars doesn't really determine the course of their lives, you can understand why it is so frustratingly difficult to have a meaningful conversation about charter schools.
Many well-meaning people have developed an almost religious faith that charter schools are just better than traditional public schools. No matter what the evidence says, it's hard to convince them otherwise.
So a new study from the National Education Policy Center at the University of Colorado probably won't change many minds, but it still bears a close look.
The study, conducted by Bruce D. Baker and Richard Ferris of Rutgers University, has some surprising conclusions about charter schools in New York City, one of the nation's largest charter school laboratories. The results challenge the conventional wisdom bandied by popular documentaries like "Waiting for Superman" and "The Lottery."
Most significantly, the study shows that charter schools on average do not out-perform traditional public schools in the city.
Beyond that, the study reveals that there is a wide disparity of resources provided to charter schools in New York. While some get almost no funds other than the base school allotment, some receive private donations that amount to $10,000 per pupil more than traditional public schools.
And yet, "there is little or no relationship between spending and test score outcomes after including appropriate controls. Some high-spending and some low-spending charters perform well, while others perform quite poorly."
The city in the United States with the most charter school experience is New Orleans. Wouldn't it be nice to see a similar study made of the Big Easy's charter schools?
Many well-meaning people have developed an almost religious faith that charter schools are just better than traditional public schools. No matter what the evidence says, it's hard to convince them otherwise.
So a new study from the National Education Policy Center at the University of Colorado probably won't change many minds, but it still bears a close look.
The study, conducted by Bruce D. Baker and Richard Ferris of Rutgers University, has some surprising conclusions about charter schools in New York City, one of the nation's largest charter school laboratories. The results challenge the conventional wisdom bandied by popular documentaries like "Waiting for Superman" and "The Lottery."
Most significantly, the study shows that charter schools on average do not out-perform traditional public schools in the city.
Beyond that, the study reveals that there is a wide disparity of resources provided to charter schools in New York. While some get almost no funds other than the base school allotment, some receive private donations that amount to $10,000 per pupil more than traditional public schools.
And yet, "there is little or no relationship between spending and test score outcomes after including appropriate controls. Some high-spending and some low-spending charters perform well, while others perform quite poorly."
The city in the United States with the most charter school experience is New Orleans. Wouldn't it be nice to see a similar study made of the Big Easy's charter schools?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Fifty-six schools earn High-Performing, High-Poverty distinction
The State Department of Education has announced that 56 schools in 30 Louisiana school districts have earned the High-Performing, High-Poverty distinction. Click here for the department's press release.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Lawyer says Filipino recruiter will appeal fine
The attorney for a recruiter charged with victimizing Filipino teachers in Louisiana says he will appeal an order demanding repayment of $1.8 million in improperly collected fees, according to this article by Advocate reporter Joe Gyan, Jr.
Last spring, Administrative law Judge Shelly Dick ruled that Universal Placement International and its owner, Lourdes "Lulu" Navarro illegally collected fees from about 360 Filipino teachers hired to work in Louisiana schools. That decision was part of a much larger investigation into Navarro's practices, which the teachers' union representatives likened to human trafficking. The Filipino teachers are represented by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers in the action.
Navarro has a history of violating the law - she has been convicted of defrauding a government agency in California and of money laundering in New Jersey.
Navarro's attorney, Murphy Foster I, appealed Judge Dick's decision. On December 30, District Judge Janice Clark of Baton Rouge upheld the original ruling. In a move already expected by Federation attorneys, Foster says he intends to appeal Judge Clark's ruling to the State Court of Appeal.
Last spring, Administrative law Judge Shelly Dick ruled that Universal Placement International and its owner, Lourdes "Lulu" Navarro illegally collected fees from about 360 Filipino teachers hired to work in Louisiana schools. That decision was part of a much larger investigation into Navarro's practices, which the teachers' union representatives likened to human trafficking. The Filipino teachers are represented by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers in the action.
Navarro has a history of violating the law - she has been convicted of defrauding a government agency in California and of money laundering in New Jersey.
Navarro's attorney, Murphy Foster I, appealed Judge Dick's decision. On December 30, District Judge Janice Clark of Baton Rouge upheld the original ruling. In a move already expected by Federation attorneys, Foster says he intends to appeal Judge Clark's ruling to the State Court of Appeal.
Your LFT Connection: February 2011
Dear colleague,
Just before Thanksgiving, delegates to the LFT’s annual convention heard news that offered some hope in a year that thus far had been dominated by gloomy reports about budget cuts that threaten our colleges, universities and K-12 schools.
Presentations from two experts gave us a new outlook on Louisiana’s budget crisis. They explained the root causes of the mess we are in, and offered suggestions for restoring fiscal sanity to the state.
Read more of the new Your LFT Connection from LFT President Steve Monaghan- please click here.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Testy exchanges over seized schools' performance
Schools that have been seized by the state are not performing up to expectations, and lawmakers want to know why.
That's the gist of the action at Wednesday's meeting of the joint House and Senate Education Committees, reported here by The Advocate's Will Sentell.
They got few answers from Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education President Penny Dastugue.
Both said that the schools taken by the state had been failing their obligations to students for years, but that wasn't what the senators and representatives were asking. They wanted to know why many schools, some operated by independent charters and some by the state Recovery School District, aren't faring any better under the new management.
In testy exchanges, Pastorek said that "dozens" of the 180-plus schools seized by the state have shown major improvements.
But with some 200 schools under consideration for seizure, lawmakers were seeking assurance that the department of education can guarantee improvement. They got no guarantees.
That's the gist of the action at Wednesday's meeting of the joint House and Senate Education Committees, reported here by The Advocate's Will Sentell.
They got few answers from Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education President Penny Dastugue.
Both said that the schools taken by the state had been failing their obligations to students for years, but that wasn't what the senators and representatives were asking. They wanted to know why many schools, some operated by independent charters and some by the state Recovery School District, aren't faring any better under the new management.
In testy exchanges, Pastorek said that "dozens" of the 180-plus schools seized by the state have shown major improvements.
But with some 200 schools under consideration for seizure, lawmakers were seeking assurance that the department of education can guarantee improvement. They got no guarantees.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Misplaced optimism
While Gov. Jindal maintains that coming cuts to higher education will be lower than expected - in the 10% range, according to this article by Gannett reporter Mike Hasten - the effects of budget cuts on colleges and universities cannot be trivialized.
LSU Provost Jack Hamilton made that clear in a theatrical gesture at Monday's meeting of the Baton Rouge Press Club, standing next to 140 empty chairs. That's the number of faculty positions lost at the state's flagship university over the past two years.
As The Advocate's editorialist wrote:
More bad news came on Wednesday, when the Board of Regents announced that almost 460 college degree programs across Louisiana are about to be axed because of the budget crunch. Advocate reporter Jordan Blum covered the Regents' meeting for this story.
Yet the governor still refuses to consider any new revenues, maintaining that he is "optimistic that we can keep higher ed cuts below 10%."
LSU Provost Jack Hamilton made that clear in a theatrical gesture at Monday's meeting of the Baton Rouge Press Club, standing next to 140 empty chairs. That's the number of faculty positions lost at the state's flagship university over the past two years.
As The Advocate's editorialist wrote:
The 140 faculty positions lost to the cuts represent more than 10 percent
of the university’s 1,200-member faculty. LSU’s foreign languages programs have been dramatically scaled back, making the campus much less competitive with its peers in the region. The LSU School of Music’s ability to offer scholarships
is also greatly diminished, hampering the school’s ability to attract the best
and the brightest.
More bad news came on Wednesday, when the Board of Regents announced that almost 460 college degree programs across Louisiana are about to be axed because of the budget crunch. Advocate reporter Jordan Blum covered the Regents' meeting for this story.
Yet the governor still refuses to consider any new revenues, maintaining that he is "optimistic that we can keep higher ed cuts below 10%."
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Not letting a good tragedy go to waste
Despite the fact that there's no evidence charter schools really do a better job of educating children, and despite the fact that Recovery District schools in New Orleans are much more expensive without providing a better educational product, State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek allows the right-wing Reason Institute to regurgitate the "silver lining" calumny about Hurricane Katrina and public education in the Crescent City.
Injured teachers get school board attention
Thanks to the Calcasieu Federation of Teachers, educators in that parish may have less to fear from abusive students, according to this article by Sulphur Daily News reporter Vickie Peoples.
Federation President Jean Johnson and colleague Rick Kuykendall gave school board members the results of a survey showing that the system's Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program doesn't always protect teachers and school employees from student attacks.
The survey documented cases in which educators were injured by students who did not suffer immediate consequences from the school system. In one case, a student struck a teacher in the head with a rock. The teacher pressed charges and the student was arrested, but has not been expelled from school.
School board members said the survey revealed a "huge, alarming and shocking problem," and demanded that the superintendent and staff reformulate district discipline policies.
Federation President Jean Johnson and colleague Rick Kuykendall gave school board members the results of a survey showing that the system's Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program doesn't always protect teachers and school employees from student attacks.
The survey documented cases in which educators were injured by students who did not suffer immediate consequences from the school system. In one case, a student struck a teacher in the head with a rock. The teacher pressed charges and the student was arrested, but has not been expelled from school.
School board members said the survey revealed a "huge, alarming and shocking problem," and demanded that the superintendent and staff reformulate district discipline policies.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
"Red Tape Act" amounts to an attack on teacher tenure
Officials of the state department of education let slip one of the real motives behind Gov. Jindal's Red Tape Reduction and Local Waiver Empowerment Act at Wednesday's meeting of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
As Advocate reporter Will Sentell writes for this article, BESE was discussing the governor's signature legislation from the last session, trying to figure out why no local school district has yet applied for a waiver of state law or policy.
Among the so-called "burdensome rules and laws" that "stifle student gain" are teacher tenure, class size, instructional time and curriculum.
As EdLog reported yesterday, the attack on teacher tenure is part of an an orchestrated, nationwide effort. We can add Louisiana to the list of states that have targeted teacher rights.
As noted in The Advocate's article, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers has filed suit to halt the Red Tape act. LFT strongly believes that the legislature has no constitutional right to cede its legislative obligations to bodies like BESE.
As Advocate reporter Will Sentell writes for this article, BESE was discussing the governor's signature legislation from the last session, trying to figure out why no local school district has yet applied for a waiver of state law or policy.
Among the so-called "burdensome rules and laws" that "stifle student gain" are teacher tenure, class size, instructional time and curriculum.
As EdLog reported yesterday, the attack on teacher tenure is part of an an orchestrated, nationwide effort. We can add Louisiana to the list of states that have targeted teacher rights.
As noted in The Advocate's article, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers has filed suit to halt the Red Tape act. LFT strongly believes that the legislature has no constitutional right to cede its legislative obligations to bodies like BESE.
Jindal vows to protect TOPS
Gov. Jindal announced that he will seek a constitutional amendment to protect the very popular TOPS program, according to this article by Jordan Blum in The Advocate.
TOPS, the brainchild of the late oil magnate Patrick Taylor, is one of the most progressive education programs in the nation, promising free tuition at state colleges and universities to any student with slightly above average grades. The scholarship can also be applied at private schools, but is capped at the level of a state college.
TOPS, the brainchild of the late oil magnate Patrick Taylor, is one of the most progressive education programs in the nation, promising free tuition at state colleges and universities to any student with slightly above average grades. The scholarship can also be applied at private schools, but is capped at the level of a state college.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
States look to abolish teacher tenure
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie
Efforts are underway in several states to eliminate teacher tenure. According to this article in the Christian Science Monitor, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is leading a pack of governors who want to abolish due process rights for teachers.
Other states mentioned in the article are Florida, Idaho, Illinois and Wyoming.
Opponents of teacher tenure say that it it too difficult to get rid of "bad teachers," and can find some extreme examples that they say prove their point.
But tenure serves two vital purposes in our schools, and those who want to abolish it just don't understand how crucial those purposes are.
To begin with, tenure guarantees a teacher's academic freedom. Without it, teachers can too easily fall victim to the political correctness of the day. There are just too many folks out there who would gladly yank a teacher's credentials for recommending the "wrong" reading material. It is a protection that serves without bias - those with small minds on the left, right or anywhere in between would love to restrict what teachers are allowed to say.
But even more importantly, tenure guarantees that teachers can't lose their livelihoods without just cause. Sometimes teachers are victims of administrative favoritism or unfair accusations, and they deserve a fair hearing. Our entire legal system is based on the concept of innocent until proven guilty. Does a teacher deserve less than that?
Opponents of tenure falsely claim that teachers in Louisiana "automatically" earn tenure after just three years. That discounts the facts that teachers must first obtain a degree, pass a difficult examination, earn certification and undergo three years of supervision. During that time, they may be dismissed for virtually any reason. The process is rigorous enough that about half of all teachers leave the profession in their first five years.
If, after all that, an unqualified person becomes tenured, it is the fault of administrators who did not perform their duties. And that is a mistake that can be corrected through a tenure hearing.
Jindal: Merge SUNO and UNO
WWL-AM in New Orleans reports that Gov. Bobby Jindal is recommending the merger of Southern University of New Orleans and the University of New Orleans.
The governor reportedly also suggests that the merged institution be removed from oversight by the Southern and LSU systems, and become part of the University of Louisiana system.
The state's Board of Regents is expected to come up with its own recommendation about the merger by March 1.
A comment in the WWL article by LSU System President John Lombardi suggests that LSU won't let go easily: "The LSU System remains firmly engaged in the support of UNO's mission, and will work closely with UNO, its many constituencies, and the Board of Regents on any proposals to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of this fine institution."
The governor reportedly also suggests that the merged institution be removed from oversight by the Southern and LSU systems, and become part of the University of Louisiana system.
The state's Board of Regents is expected to come up with its own recommendation about the merger by March 1.
A comment in the WWL article by LSU System President John Lombardi suggests that LSU won't let go easily: "The LSU System remains firmly engaged in the support of UNO's mission, and will work closely with UNO, its many constituencies, and the Board of Regents on any proposals to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of this fine institution."
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Jindal says he will propose company schools
Governor Jindal's legislative agenda will include an expansion of charter schools, one which will allow an unprecedented intrusion of the business community into the charter school movement, according to this article by Times-Picayune reporter Ed Anderson.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the governor said he wants a new law allowing businesses to house charter schools on their property, to stack charter school boards with representatives of the businesses, and to give preferred attendance to children of the business' employees.
Lawmakers attending the meeting said they had no advance notice of the plan, and thus far no one has seen the actual language that will be proposed by the governor.
It is difficult to take a position on the plan before a specific bill, with details, is introduced. Just a year ago, Gov. Jindal said that his signature legislation for 2010 would be a Red Tape Reduction Act, aimed at easing the paperwork burden on teachers. But when the actual bill was introduced, it dealt with allowing school boards to opt out of state education law and policy, with no mention of teachers and paperwork.
The 2011 legislative session is supposed to be dedicated to fiscal issues, but each lawmaker is allowed to introduce up to five non-fiscal bills. The governor has no lack of allies who will be willing to bring his plan before the session.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the governor said he wants a new law allowing businesses to house charter schools on their property, to stack charter school boards with representatives of the businesses, and to give preferred attendance to children of the business' employees.
Lawmakers attending the meeting said they had no advance notice of the plan, and thus far no one has seen the actual language that will be proposed by the governor.
It is difficult to take a position on the plan before a specific bill, with details, is introduced. Just a year ago, Gov. Jindal said that his signature legislation for 2010 would be a Red Tape Reduction Act, aimed at easing the paperwork burden on teachers. But when the actual bill was introduced, it dealt with allowing school boards to opt out of state education law and policy, with no mention of teachers and paperwork.
The 2011 legislative session is supposed to be dedicated to fiscal issues, but each lawmaker is allowed to introduce up to five non-fiscal bills. The governor has no lack of allies who will be willing to bring his plan before the session.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
LFT representatives on retirement board
From left, TRSL College Representative Bob Lawyer, Director Maureen Westgard, Board Chair Anne H. Baker, District 1 Representative Joe Potts. At its first meeting of the New Year, the Louisiana Teachers Retirement System Board of Supervisors welcomed two new members with strong ties to the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
Joe Potts, president emeritus of the Jefferson Federation of Teachers and executive vice president of LFT, took his oath of office as the representative of District 1, which comprises Ascension, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, and St. John parishes.
Robert Lawyer, a professor at Delgado College and treasurer of the United Federation of College Teachers, was sworn in as the elected representative of higher education members of the retirement system.
Both Lawyer and Potts were elected last fall. Their terms run until December 31, 2014. The two men are a welcome addition to the board. Attacks on teacher retirement have emerged in recent legislative sessions, and are expected to surface again when lawmakers return to Baton Rouge in April. Both Potts and Lawyer will be reliable allies in the fight to preserve the rights and benefits of retired teachers and school employees.
Columnist: our schools are better than their perception
Washington Post columnist Robert J. Samuelson is no left-winger, and is not pro-teacher union. Which is why this column is so important.
While liberals, who formerly could be counted on to support public education, are indulging in an orgy of school bashing (witness documentaries like "Waiting for Superman" and "The Lottery"), Samuelson points out that schools alone can't be blamed or lauded for a society's flaws and successes.
"(E)conomic competitiveness depends on more than good schools, which are important but not decisive," he writes. "To take an obvious example: The Japanese have high test scores, but Japan's economy languishes."
Samuelson then goes all heretical, confounding the conventional wisdom by stating that our public schools are better than they are perceived to be. And he backs it up with research.
"American schools are better than they're commonly portrayed," writes Samuelson. "We now have a massive study of the reading abilities of 15-year-olds (roughly 10th-graders) in 65 systems worldwide showing that U.S. schools compare favorably with their foreign counterparts.
"U.S. schools do about as well as the best systems elsewhere in educating similar students," he concludes.
Not that our schools can't be improved, or that we too often fail those who would best profit by a good education. But Samuelson's column is a bracing reminder that we in public education cannot be blamed for all of society's ills, nor can we be expected to correct all of them.
While liberals, who formerly could be counted on to support public education, are indulging in an orgy of school bashing (witness documentaries like "Waiting for Superman" and "The Lottery"), Samuelson points out that schools alone can't be blamed or lauded for a society's flaws and successes.
"(E)conomic competitiveness depends on more than good schools, which are important but not decisive," he writes. "To take an obvious example: The Japanese have high test scores, but Japan's economy languishes."
Samuelson then goes all heretical, confounding the conventional wisdom by stating that our public schools are better than they are perceived to be. And he backs it up with research.
"American schools are better than they're commonly portrayed," writes Samuelson. "We now have a massive study of the reading abilities of 15-year-olds (roughly 10th-graders) in 65 systems worldwide showing that U.S. schools compare favorably with their foreign counterparts.
"U.S. schools do about as well as the best systems elsewhere in educating similar students," he concludes.
Not that our schools can't be improved, or that we too often fail those who would best profit by a good education. But Samuelson's column is a bracing reminder that we in public education cannot be blamed for all of society's ills, nor can we be expected to correct all of them.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
LFT staffers attend planning meeting
AFT President Randi Weingarten
Braving bitter cold and dodging snow-challenged airports, members of the LFT staff are in Washington, D.C. this weekend, making plans to deal with attacks on public education that are cropping up across the United States.
In an opening session to the three-day meeting, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten laid out the challenges faced by teachers and their unions.
"We're not giving up," Weingarten told some 200 union activists from around the country. "We need to engage in constructive problem solving using all the means and power at our disposal."
The problems, she said, are big and very real. Attacks are mounting on teacher and school employee pensions and benefits, tenure and salary schedules. Especially after the last elections, conservative politicians are trying to privatize, voucherize and charterize schools in numerous states.
Louisiana has seen its share of attacks on public schools and the professionals who dedicate their lives to our children, LFT President Steve Monaghan said.
Monaghan is attending the conference, along with Legislative Director Alison Ocmand, Senior Organizer Mona Icamena, Paraprofessional and School Related Personnel coordinator Chrisandra Lee and Public Relations Director Les Landon.
Monaghan said the focus of the meeting is on forging coalitions that can build support for our schools in a political climate that is often unfriendly to public education.
Monaghan said teachers and school employees spend their professional careers building a better future for our children, and that we owe it to them to make sure they have decent salaries, adequate benefits and a pension that allows them to have a comfortable retirement after a lifetime of service.
Louisiana's 2011 regular legislative session will begin on April 25, and will close on June 23.
LFT Legislative Director Alison Ocmand, left, LFT President Steve Monaghan and AFT President Randi Weingarten.
LFT Legislative Director Alison Ocmand, left, President Steve Monaghan, PSRP Coordinator Chrisandra Lee and Senior Organizer Mona Icamena.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New board will decide Jefferson contract’s fate
Because the outgoing Jefferson Parish School Board could not convene a quorum before the end of 2010, the fate of a collective bargaining agreement with the parish’s 3,000 school support staff rests with a newly elected board. The issue could be decided at a meeting scheduled for January 6 at 5:00 P.M.
Employee hopes ran high in early December, when Board President Gene Katsanis and Member Cedric Floyd led an effort to award collective bargaining rights to unions representing the employees. Despite opposition and legal challenges from some in the business community, the board voted to allow bargaining with the employees.
The Jefferson Federation of Teachers and Service Employees International Union Local 21 negotiated contracts on behalf of employees, who then ratified the contracts. The former board missed its opportunity to ratify in the week between Christmas and New Years, however, leaving the issue for the new board to decide.
Katsanis was one of five board members defeated for re-election in November; Floyd will retain his seat.
JFT President Meladie Munch said that she intends to pursue ratification with the new board.
“Everything is in place for employees to have a contract,” Munch said. “We are waiting for the new board to place the item on the meeting agenda. We hope the board will agree to this contract, which has already been ratified by employees.
“It is truly an issue of respect and dignity for these members of the education family,” Munch said. “Jefferson Parish support employees have the lowest salaries in the New Orleans area, and are $2,000 below the state average."
Employee hopes ran high in early December, when Board President Gene Katsanis and Member Cedric Floyd led an effort to award collective bargaining rights to unions representing the employees. Despite opposition and legal challenges from some in the business community, the board voted to allow bargaining with the employees.
The Jefferson Federation of Teachers and Service Employees International Union Local 21 negotiated contracts on behalf of employees, who then ratified the contracts. The former board missed its opportunity to ratify in the week between Christmas and New Years, however, leaving the issue for the new board to decide.
Katsanis was one of five board members defeated for re-election in November; Floyd will retain his seat.
JFT President Meladie Munch said that she intends to pursue ratification with the new board.
“Everything is in place for employees to have a contract,” Munch said. “We are waiting for the new board to place the item on the meeting agenda. We hope the board will agree to this contract, which has already been ratified by employees.
“It is truly an issue of respect and dignity for these members of the education family,” Munch said. “Jefferson Parish support employees have the lowest salaries in the New Orleans area, and are $2,000 below the state average."
Thursday, December 30, 2010
History you can dance to
What happens when a history teacher and a flash animation teacher team up to produce music parodies that inform and amuse with a beat you can dance to?
Find the answer on YouTube's historyteachers Channel, where out can see the products of Amy Burvall and Herb Mahelona's collaboration.
Find the answer on YouTube's historyteachers Channel, where out can see the products of Amy Burvall and Herb Mahelona's collaboration.
In dozens of videos, the pair tell Cleopatra's story by way of "Fergilicious" by Fergie, recount the French Revolution through the lens of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and, for lovers of rock classics, explain the greatness of Alexander via The Knack's "My Sharona."
And if you've ever been stirred by Shakespeare's "Band of Brothers" speech in Henry V, you'll love their retelling of the Battle of Agincourt as imagined through Marianne Faithful's "As Tears Go By."
Washington Post blogger Valerie Strauss tells the story of the duo, and the effect their collaboration has on students, here.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Good cop, bad cop in the Jindal house
You have to admire the public relations machine behind the Jindal administration. Remember how the governor polished his conservative creds by knocking the federal stimulus program while at the same time building local support with staged photo ops featuring huge cardboard checks backed by stimulus dollars?
The same strategy is now at work on the education front. First Lady Supriya Jindal is featured in The Advocate for her initiative stressing technology in public schools. As reported by Michelle Millhollon in this story, Mrs. Jindal's admirable objective is the installation of computerized white boards to replace chalk boards in elementary schools.
Thus far, the article says, the First Lady's educational foundation has placed the $6,000 technology in about 160 classrooms across the state, at a cost of about $960,000. The very ambitious goal, Millhollon writes, is to wire up 4,000 classrooms.
That would cost some $24 million, to be raised by Mrs. Jindal's foundation. In comparison, the governor's frenetic nationwide quest for campaign funds has raised about $8 million over the past few years, making it seem unlikely that the 4,000 classroom goal is reachable during Gov. Jindal's tenure.
But the airy promise held out by one hand has already been trumped by the stark reality clenched in another: Gov. Jindal's budget cuts have led to a $30 million decrease in the Department of Education budget - the part of the budget dedicated to classroom technology.
And while the distaff side of the Jindal household upholds the "support our schools" banner, it looks like deep cuts might be on the horizon in the governor's budget.
That's the impression one gets from this article by Advocate reporter Will Sentell.
Ironically posted in the same edition as the Supriya Jindal article, this one quotes Board of Elementary and Secondary Education President Penny Dastugue as saying that it will take a fight to keep education funded at the same frozen level as the past two years.
Despite rising costs and new mandates on local school boards, the Minimum Foundation Program has not received the usual 2.75% inflation factor, much less any new funding, in the last two fiscal years.
“I think we will have to fight (to keep the level funding),” Dastugue told Sentell. “I don’t know what the Legislature wants.”
Which is sort of a disingenuous comment. The legislature is only one of the three players to determine MFP funding. Gov. Jindal, whose executive budget plan will be released in a couple of months, will say how much he expects to spend on education next year.
Dastugue's own BESE board has a crucial role to play - it is BESE's responsibility to decide how much money should be in the MFP in the first place. BESE has not fought very hard for the MFP over the past couple of years, and don't expect the board to buck the governor this time, either. Dastugue is one of Jindal's three appointments to BESE.
The legislature does have to approve funding for the MFP, so it is disappointing that Dastugue says she has no idea what lawmakers have in mind. Shouldn't they be communicating about something this important?
So as BESE dithers while education burns, the governor's PR machine grinds relentlessly on, expertly positioning him for a brighter future than our state can anticipate.
The same strategy is now at work on the education front. First Lady Supriya Jindal is featured in The Advocate for her initiative stressing technology in public schools. As reported by Michelle Millhollon in this story, Mrs. Jindal's admirable objective is the installation of computerized white boards to replace chalk boards in elementary schools.
Thus far, the article says, the First Lady's educational foundation has placed the $6,000 technology in about 160 classrooms across the state, at a cost of about $960,000. The very ambitious goal, Millhollon writes, is to wire up 4,000 classrooms.
That would cost some $24 million, to be raised by Mrs. Jindal's foundation. In comparison, the governor's frenetic nationwide quest for campaign funds has raised about $8 million over the past few years, making it seem unlikely that the 4,000 classroom goal is reachable during Gov. Jindal's tenure.
But the airy promise held out by one hand has already been trumped by the stark reality clenched in another: Gov. Jindal's budget cuts have led to a $30 million decrease in the Department of Education budget - the part of the budget dedicated to classroom technology.
And while the distaff side of the Jindal household upholds the "support our schools" banner, it looks like deep cuts might be on the horizon in the governor's budget.
That's the impression one gets from this article by Advocate reporter Will Sentell.
Ironically posted in the same edition as the Supriya Jindal article, this one quotes Board of Elementary and Secondary Education President Penny Dastugue as saying that it will take a fight to keep education funded at the same frozen level as the past two years.
Despite rising costs and new mandates on local school boards, the Minimum Foundation Program has not received the usual 2.75% inflation factor, much less any new funding, in the last two fiscal years.
“I think we will have to fight (to keep the level funding),” Dastugue told Sentell. “I don’t know what the Legislature wants.”
Which is sort of a disingenuous comment. The legislature is only one of the three players to determine MFP funding. Gov. Jindal, whose executive budget plan will be released in a couple of months, will say how much he expects to spend on education next year.
Dastugue's own BESE board has a crucial role to play - it is BESE's responsibility to decide how much money should be in the MFP in the first place. BESE has not fought very hard for the MFP over the past couple of years, and don't expect the board to buck the governor this time, either. Dastugue is one of Jindal's three appointments to BESE.
The legislature does have to approve funding for the MFP, so it is disappointing that Dastugue says she has no idea what lawmakers have in mind. Shouldn't they be communicating about something this important?
So as BESE dithers while education burns, the governor's PR machine grinds relentlessly on, expertly positioning him for a brighter future than our state can anticipate.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Ravitch versus the corporatists
In this Washington Post interview with Valerie Strauss, education historian Diane Ravitch takes on billionaire Bill Gates' corporatist approach to education reform.
It's an important exchange of ideas. Gates is representative of a group that apparently wants to support public education, and has the appropriate liberal credentials, yet winds up siding with right wingers whose goal is the privatization of our schools. It's an area explored by Strauss in an October column discussed in EdLog.
In her interview with Strauss, Ravitch demolishes several of Gates' canards about public education, teachers and their unions.
Answering the argument that opposing corporate reform is tantamount to endorsing the status quo, Ravitch succinctly criticizes the business model's bean counting approach:
Ravitch is an important truth-teller and diagnostician. The real problem with so-called "failing schools" lies in the growing gap between rich and poor in American society:
It's an important exchange of ideas. Gates is representative of a group that apparently wants to support public education, and has the appropriate liberal credentials, yet winds up siding with right wingers whose goal is the privatization of our schools. It's an area explored by Strauss in an October column discussed in EdLog.
In her interview with Strauss, Ravitch demolishes several of Gates' canards about public education, teachers and their unions.
Answering the argument that opposing corporate reform is tantamount to endorsing the status quo, Ravitch succinctly criticizes the business model's bean counting approach:
"I don't hear any of the corporate reformers expressing concern about the
way standardized testing narrows the curriculum, the way it rewards convergent
thinking and punishes divergent thinking, the way it stamps out creativity and
originality. I don't hear any of them worried that a generation will grow up
ignorant of history and the workings of government. I don't hear any of them
putting up $100 million to make sure that every child has the chance to learn to
play a musical instrument. All I hear from them is a demand for higher test
scores and a demand to tie teachers' evaluations to those test scores. That is
not going to improve education."
Ravitch is an important truth-teller and diagnostician. The real problem with so-called "failing schools" lies in the growing gap between rich and poor in American society:
The single biggest correlate with low academic achievement (contrary
to the film Waiting for Superman) is poverty. Children who grow up in poverty
get less medical care. worse nutrition, less exposure to knowledge and
vocabulary, and are more likely to be exposed to childhood diseases, violence,
drugs, and abuse. They are more likely to have relatives who are incarcerated.
They are more likely to live in economic insecurity, not knowing if there is
enough money for a winter coat or food or housing. This affects their academic
performance. They tend to have lower attendance and to be sick more than
children whose parents are well-off.
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