Teachers Federation, Administrators React to Potential Changes in Education

Governor Bobby Jindal’s education reform package is drawing protest.

The Governor on Tuesday unveiled a proposal that would see more tax money spent on private schools, changes to teacher job security, as well as placing hiring and firing authority in the hands of principals and superintendents.

The Louisiana Teachers Federation says the changes are bad for students, and a local administrator is questioning some of the proposed changes.

Many of Governor Jindal’s new education reforms have provoked negative responses from teacher’s groups.

But his plan to expand the New Orleans voucher system appears to be the most contoversial.

The proposal would enable any student living below the poverty line attending a school with a ‘C’ grade or worse qualify for a private school voucher.  

Of the 1334 public schools that received a letter grade in October 945 were assigned a C,D or F.

Sandie Lollie - Monroe Teachers Federation

Sandie Lollie is the President of the Monroe Federation of Teachers and Vice President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.

She says the Governor’s push toward a private school solution is bound to fail.

“I am opposed to vouchers. I applaud public education and I think that all teachers, all administrators want a better education process for our kids. Is vouchers the way? No. I don’t believe that is true. How about reducing class sizes, putting more teachers in there, getting more counselors, giving more aid to the teachers so that they can do a better and more successful job? Vouchers is not the way.”

Private school vouchers have not found favor with public school officials either.

And Ouachita Parish School Board Superintendent, Bob Webber, says sending students from failing public schools to private schools is unlikely to make for a good fit.  

“You want to be careful you want to protect public education. I’m not sure those are the kids that private schools are going to want to receive. Most private schools have entrance exams and they requirements like reading on grade level, so I’m not sure that charters and private schools are real excited about the whole voucher idea either.>>>

The governor’s proposal requires ratification by state lawmakers.

The legislature reconvenes in March.