Education

Supreme Court Rules Voucher Funding Unconstitutional

Amy Jeffries — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:43:05 +0000

Louisiana’s Supreme Court has ruled that money reserved for public schools can’t be used to pay for private school tuition under the state constitution.

The 6-1 decision, handed down Tuesday, undermines the school voucher program that was a keystone of the education overhaul pushed through the legislature by Gov. Jindal last year.

In a written statement following the ruling, Jindal said the program is, “alive and well.” Nearly 5,000 students are enrolled at private schools through the voucher program. Roughly 8,000 students have been offered vouchers for next year.

Lawmakers Endorse Delay of Teacher Evaluation Consequences

Associated Press — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:50:12 +0000

The House Education Committee has agreed to a proposal that would delay the disciplinary effects of a new teacher evaluation system for another year while school districts work out any kinks.

Committee Backs Delay of School Performance Score Changes

Amy Jeffries — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:21:39 +0000

Performance scores starting with the current school year are set to rely heavily on the ACT. Results from the college entrance exam would account for 25 percent of a public high school’s score.

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.

Study Results Bode Well For Early Childhood Education Act

Frank Barnett — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:28:23 +0000

Results of a ten year study show at-risk students who attended Pre-K do better in elementary and middle school.

Pre-K: Politics and Poverty

Sue Lincoln — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:13:00 +0000

In his State of the Union address, President Obama called for universal pre-K.

The President singled out Georgia and Oklahoma as states that have already made pre-K a priority.

Louisiana should also be ahead of the curve.

The state enacted a universal pre-K promise in 2008. Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, LA-4 classes are supposed to be provided at no cost to every eligible child.

Pre-K Access: Good Program, Few Spots

Dan Carsen — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:25:00 +0000

When it comes to enrollment rates, neither the South nor the U.S. is anywhere near “universal Pre-K.” Only eight states provide it to more than half their four-year-olds. Georgia is one of them. Louisiana enacted legislation in 2008 promising to provide pre-K to every eligible child through the state-run LA-4 program starting with the 2013-14 school year.

Alabama's state-funded pre-K program has been recognized as one of the country's best. But as the Southern Education Desk's Dan Carsen reports, just six percent of eligible kids are enrolled.

Whether Vouchers Short Public Schools Argued in La. Supreme Court

Amy Jeffries — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:45:21 +0000

Louisiana's state Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in the case challenging the statewide school voucher program.

The justices' questions focused on whether the state constitution allows vouchers for private school tuition to be paid for through the MFP -- the formula used to calculate support for public schools.

Vouchers Threaten Public School's Turnaround

Sue Lincoln — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:03:33 +0000

The state Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in a case against the statewide school voucher program.

At issue is whether private school tuition can be paid for with the funds that would otherwise go to struggling public schools.

At Hosanna Christian Academy, the tuition is being used in the battle to bring voucher students up to grade level. Hosanna's intervention strategies were inspired by the turnaround efforts at public Winbourne Elementary.

Voucher Program Transforms Christian School

Amy Jeffries — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:58:51 +0000

Tuesday, the state Supreme Court will hear arguments in a suit from local school boards and teachers unions wanting Louisiana's school voucher program thrown out.

The legal challenges came almost as soon as the program was passed last year as part of Gov. Bobby Jindal's education overhaul.

Despite that, Hosanna Christian Academy in Baton Rouge went all in.

The school took on almost 300 voucher students, nearly doubling its enrollment. And Hosanna is doing everything it can to make sure all those students can perform at grade level.