Gov. Jindal Calls for Expanded School Voucher Program, New Charter Schools and Tenure Reform
by Kevin MooneyFresh from his overwhelming re-election victory, Gov. Bobby Jindal has unveiled an audacious education reform agenda that built around an expanded school voucher program, new charter schools, a rigorous teacher evaluation system and a revamped tenure system. With the Louisiana state legislature set to go back into session this coming March, the governor is expected to win broad support for many of the proposed changes.
If so, the voucher program, which is now limited to New Orleans, would go statewide. Low-income families with a child enrolled in a school that has received a C rating or lower could use public dollars to cover the cost of private school tuition.
Jindal also favors using the new “value-added” teacher assessment to deny automatic tenure for teachers that do not received high marks. Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, 50 percent of evaluations for teachers in academic classes will be based on the LEAP and iLEAP test scores, while the other 50 percent will be based more on subjective criteria built around classroom observations to determine how effective instructors are in motivating students. A pilot program that involves nine school districts and one of the charter schools is already underway.
“This is historic change and an important step forward for our education system,” said Brigitte Nieland, vice-president and communications director of the Education and Workforce Development Council for Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI). “For the first time, teachers will be evaluated based on how their students perform. This is about transparency and accuracy.”
The state’s teachers unions, Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT) and the Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE), have been critical of the value-added model and object to it being included as part a tenure reform package. They point out that most teachers fall into “non-core” areas they do not involve tests. Union officials are expected to roll out an alternative reform agenda sometime later this week.
“Governor Jindal is to be praised for proposing such a far-reaching school choice and public education reform agenda. Competition is healthy for education,” Americans for Limited Government (ALG) President Bill Wilson said, adding, “the labor reforms will make the public education that the government is responsible for more competitive.
Gov. Jindal would also to “fast-track” charter school operators who have a history of success. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, most New Orleans public schools were placed under state control in the Recovery School District (RSD). Charter school operators now run most of the schools in RSD.
“We can’t wait for another generation of students to graduate from high school unprepared for the workforce and higher education — or to dropout before they even get there,” said during an address to the LABI earlier this month. “This applies not only to K-12 education, but to early childhood education as well.”
New Orleans is now recognized as an incubator for education reform. The city played host to a celebration last Saturday that marked the kick off of National School Choice Week.
Gov. Jindal is scheduled as one of the featured speakers at the upcoming Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington D.C.
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29 Comments
Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Jindal,….
should do lunch and Rahm,……
should take a note pad with him.
To save the nation, it must be remember that the country is a union of states. Reform the states, the nation will follow. People like Jindal show how to accomplish it.
Good sir, I wish you well. Many states will be watching. If successful, others will rush to do the same.
The wave approaches the beach and is GROWING…..!!!!!
Good thing it was a landslide victory for him. Guess there will be no recall there. Good
Jindal is a good governor. About time that state had one.
It really is all about the children. At least in Louisiana
Common sense approach that puts the needs of the children first.
Or, as it's called in Leftwingnutish… RAAAAAAACISM!
I can see the Unionista's plan now… More pay for teachers, more benefits for teachers, even bigger pay raise and benefits for Union Bosses and a multi-million dollar ad campaign to paint Gov. Jindal as a baby-eating monster, paid for by taxpayer money.
You're right, Ralph but, I think Dancing Boy has a tougher nut to crack!
Off topic.
Do Y'all remember The Story of Stuff, brought to you by the illustrious Drummond Pike and The Tides Foundation? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8
Well.
Here is Obamas total and complete unabridged understanding of economics and commerce. http://realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/01/26/oba...
It is all about Stuff.
His reply to the SOTU (the first time he popped up on my radar) didn't impress, but I've been very impressed by Mr. Jindal's performance in offfice. I'd like to see him run for the presidency someday.
I wish Gov. Jindal well but, let's remember, all systems will descend to the lowest common denominator unless everyone is vigilant! I'm talking about parents here!
Charter and private school teachers are subject to the same foibles as anyone else.
the only reform tenure needs, is to be completely eliminated! who else has a guaranteed job, without the chance of getting fired?
Government/Public unions.
Expect a run for the exits.
You go into some of those low income neighborhoods and public schools are just training camps for prison.
If parents have a chance to get their kid out they will take it.
This is the beginning of the first crack in the nationwide teachers union stranglehold on education.
I suspect they will not go quietly..
But Bobby J has a nice mandate to get this done..
"It is all about Stuff. "
I am OK with moving all the stuff around if the stuff had 'Made in The USA' instead of China.
Very true. I believe that the biggest problem in the educational system is parents.
I'm not saying schools can't get better, but based on my experience in public schools as a student, a father/PTA member and a mentor of troubled kids (for two years in college) the biggest problem is overburdened (being a working single mother is tough) or indifferent parents who don't push their kids to learn.
Saw it and thought…..8th grade level-stuff.
Governor Jindal must be commended for his work in trying to improve education, but there many changes that need to be addressed. First, testing and teacher evaluations need to be done at both public and charter schools. Second, the assumption that all students want to learn is false and needs to be taken into account in evaluations. Third, learning can not occur where there is no discipline. Disruptive students must be removed, possibly out of a school. Fourth, curriculum needs to include both academic/technological and life management skills. The idea that every student is going to college is wrong. A professional skills school or track needs to be available in each district or disticts. Five, tenure needs to be earned, but still subject to review. Possibly, 5 years without tenure, after earned – tenure for 10 years with a pension. *(15 years total service)* It would be followed by 2 years without tenure, after earned – tenure for 7 years, followed by an evaluation with tenure for 6 years with pension. *(2nd 15 years of total service)*
Can't argue, Yng. Too many parents consider kids an unfortunate side effect of getting laid.
If so, the voucher program, which is now limited to New Orleans, would go statewide. Low-income families with a child enrolled in a school that has received a C rating or lower could use public dollars to cover the cost of private school tuition.
While I am generally supportive of Gov. Jindal's overall plan, I still get queasy when only low-income families are offered vouchers. It's an "equal under the law" thing for me. Other than that, Go Governor!
If you can get something to work in NOLA you can probably get it to work almost anywhere. I would not want to use that place as an incubator but given the circumstances after Katrina you take opportunity where you find it!
I like the thought of teacher reforms but maybe we'd be better off if we could keep public money out of schools altogether.
You're insulting 8th graders.
Well it looks like Governor Bobby is up for a fight…because now that he has taken a stand…the Union 'goons' will be on his case…guaranteed!
But I think he can handle it…just as long as he follows the example of Arizona and Wisconsin in doing so…they know how to fight and continue to do so with all 'real' Americans behind them!
Bravo…Governor…bravo!
STATES PRESSING THE BIRTH ISSUE FOR 2012 AND BEYOND; GOD BLESS THEM!
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pag...
IS SHERIFF ARPAIO (AZ) FINALLY GETTING TO THE TRUTH…
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pag...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oLIUT16ko0
Fine and dandy, as long as Jindal doesn't allow Gulen's charter schools move in any further into Louisiana. Last I knew, there were two or three in the state – Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Are you referring to the Chi teachers union or,…….
the Chi students…?????
The answer than is ,…..BOTH.
BINGO,….(all 57 of them)
Yeah, because the government doesn't spend enough money already. And private companies don't receive enough money from the government either!
Yes, indeed.
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