public schools

School Counselor, Librarian Mandates to Stand

Amy Jeffries — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:56:13 +0000

The state's top school board has dropped plans to do away with requirements for counselors and librarians at public schools.

The Dept. of Education had recommended the change as part of a continuing push to give more flexibility to local administrators. The reversal came as a surprise to the dozens of critics who flocked to the BESE meeting to voice impassioned opposition Tuesday.

THURSDAY: Actor Jamie Wax, Outdoor Enthusiast Humberto Fontova, Student Activist Zack Kopplin

Jim Engster — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:33:22 +0000

Jim talks with actor Jamie Wax, upon his return to Baton Rouge for 20th anniversary performances of "a Gift For Lyman Bourke" at the Baton Rouge Little Theater.

Louisiana outdoor enthusiast Humberto Fontova discusses gun rights.

Student activist Zack Kopplin explains his continuing effort to thwart teaching of creationism in Louisiana public schools.

Bill Press, James David Cain, Dennis Blunt

Jim Engster — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Bill Press provides national perspective on Election 2012, then James David Cain covers the local angle.

Dennis Blunt spends a few minutes talking about the East Baton Rouge Parish School District's strategic plan.

Superintendent Envisions Reform Within Baton Rouge Schools

Amy Jeffries — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:27:36 +0000

Bernard Taylor came into East Baton Rouge Parish as the new superintendent of schools officially in June. He arrived amidst a wave of state education reforms, for which the parish is arguably ground zero.

Roughly a third of Baton Rouge public schools, threatened with state takeover, face new competition from private school vouchers and independent charter schools.

Accountability measures for teachers and administrators are adding to the pressure.

Speaking with WRKF's Amy Jeffries, Taylor does not mince words in his critique of state reforms or the potential of East Baton Rouge public schools.