COVID-19 Education: How are Louisiana’s K-12 educators?
COVID Education crisis has been discussed worldwide, this three-part series presents the stories of Louisiana Black educators’ experiences during six waves of COVID in three years.
Three years of COVID, survey shows Louisiana educators experience an array of emotions
Forty Louisiana educators completed an online survey designed to understand—as much as possible—the impact three years of the coronavirus pandemic has had on Louisiana educators, including paraprofessionals, teaching staff, and principals. The survey, conducted by the Jozef Syndicate, asked Black K-12 educators: “How are you?” Overall, their responses spanned every emotion: fearful, depressed, isolated, unsupported, less-than-human, proud of … Continue reading
Where were you on March 9, 2020? Black educators remember the early days of COVID-19
Many people may not remember that date. However, engrained in the memories of many Louisiana teachers is Thursday, March 12, 2020, when Governor John Bel Edwards declared a public health emergency, closed all K-12 public schools, and banned gatherings. Black K-12 educators in Louisiana said they overcame chaos, fears, and challenges during the COVID pandemic. (Part 1)
After three pandemic years, how are Louisiana’s K-12 educators?
Three years ago, Louisiana’s K-12 educators, principals, support staff, paraprofessionals, and specialists faced one of the biggest –and most difficult– challenges of their careers: the coronavirus pandemic, known as COVID-19. They quickly adjusted in order to transition into virtual learning environments during the height of the pandemic. They transitioned back into schools bearing multiple COVID-restrictions … Continue reading
Local charter to open in Baker
BAKER—Impact Charter Elementary, a locally operated, charter school has broken ground to begin construction at 4815 Lavey Lane in Baker. Officials said the free public school will open its doors to students this fall. “We found Baker had the biggest need for the type of program we will have and that is what made [it] … Continue reading
Group starts public education strategy for Baton Rouge
Together Baton Rouge’s Public Education Strategy Kickoff is Tuesday, November 5th, 12pm, at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, 9700 Scenic Highway, in the Family Life Center. Organizers said, “You know all those people you know who have a deep commitment to public education? Who see it as a responsibility of citizenship to help assure that public schools have the … Continue reading
Melissa Harris-Perry to Bobby Jindal: ‘You Don’t Seem To Give A Damn’
Tulane Professor and Weekend Host Melissa Harris Perry Calls Out Jindal in MSNBC ‘Letter’ (Melissa Harris-Perry is host of MSNBC’s “Melissa Harris-Perry.” The show airs on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM to 11 AM Central Time. Harris-Perry is also professor of political science at Tulane University, where she is founding director of the Anna … Continue reading
Parents, public invited to Glen Oaks High 6:30pm tonight
Superintendent Taylor Seeks Input for Region Changes Community leaders, parents, faculty, and students of East Baton Rouge schools met this week to offer suggestions on Superintendent Bernard Taylor’s plans to provide public school choice options. Taylor held meetings with residents in the neighborhoods surrounding Capitol High and Scotlandville High and Woodlawn High School. In short, … Continue reading
Forums scheduled next week to discuss EBR school attendance zones
First meeting is Monday, Nov. 12, at Capitol Elementary Baton Rouge, LA – The East Baton Rouge Parish School District has scheduled a series of community forums for parent, student and community input and opinions on the district’s proposal to create four regional attendance zones for “families” of schools. The meetings are free … Continue reading
BESE’s Carolyn Hill on quest to mend school reform efforts
When Carolyn Hill ran to become a member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, she championed school reform. Last year, while campaigning to replace Linda Johnson, Hill told Swagher Magazine she had the combination needed to make a difference. “We need strong voices on BESE to champion the needs of the children, … Continue reading
Crestworth students to return to Ave. F campus, Oct. 22
Recovery School District students will resume classes at the Crestworth Learning Academy facility, 10650 Avenue F, on Monday, October 22. Since August, Crestworth students have been co-located at Glen Oaks Middle School while renovations were made at the Ave. F location to met state and local codes. RSD officials said they have “enhanced the … Continue reading
June 29 deadline to apply for private school vochures
As part of the Louisiana Believes plan for increased student achievement, the Louisiana Department of Education announced the list of nonpublic and high-performing public schools that applied for and are approved to participate in the Louisiana Scholarship Program during the 2012-2013 school year. Parents can apply for their children to receive vochures to attend nonpublic … Continue reading
Parent meeting in Pointe Coupee Central rescheduled
The parent meeting for Pointe Coupee Central High School that was originally scheduled for Monday, May 14 has been rescheduled. The meeting will be held on Monday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at PCCHS, 8434 Pointe Coupee Rd., Morganza, La. During the meeting, Recovery School District officials will provide information regarding the future of the … Continue reading
What is the purpose of Jindal’s education reform agenda?
What exactly is the purpose of public education? Gov. Bobby Jindal’s sweeping education package has introduced a litany of policy initiatives, slogans, and ideas that have flown over the public’s head faster than it did through the House and Senate education committees. As the general public literally waits for whatever falls in our collective laps, … Continue reading
LETTER: What happened to Prescott?
…it breaks my heart when the people responsible for leading the transformation exploit the students for monetary gain…
Recovery School District plans parent meetings starting May 7
During the next two weeks, the Recovery Schools District will hold parent meetings for schools identified to be a part of the Baton Rouge Achievement Zone. RSD officials will provide information regarding the future of the respective school, enrollment, school activities, upcoming deadlines, parental and community involvement and any specific school relocation plans. Each … Continue reading
Controversial education bills bring crowds to Capitol
The Louisiana Association of Educators said school employees from across Louisiana left the Capitol City on March 14 and 15, blindsided by the governor’s “intense rush to pass career-altering education legislation”. More than 3,000 protestors rallied at the capitol those days to push against bills that would dismantle Louisiana’s public education system, they said. “It’s … Continue reading
Educators express deep disappointment in lack of transparency, democracy
BATON ROUGE, LA-A little after midnight, Thursday (March15), the House Education Committee pushed through major bills that stand to dismantle Louisiana’s public education system. “It’s a sad day for Louisiana public school students,” said LAE President Joyce Haynes. “In my nearly 40 years in education, I’ve never seen the democratic process torn apart like this. … Continue reading
Advanced Baton Rouge’s gives official statement on death of Tesa Middlebrook
It is with great sadness that our continued thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and classmates of Tesa Middlebrook. Out of respect for the family and the federal regulations in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) the Advance Baton Rouge … Continue reading
An exit interview with former Louisiana Superintendent Ollie Tyler
When Ollie Tyler announced her resignation as Superintendent of Education for the State of Louisiana, it really came as no surprise in light of Governor Bobby Jindal’s push to have Recovery School District Superintendent John White as the new superintendent starting this month. It is Tyler’s long history as an educator and stint as Caddo … Continue reading
Time to impact your child’s test scores, school’s score
> By Russell Armstrong As the year winds down, we are also on the verge of a major shift in education in Louisiana, or at least the people keep telling me so. Soon a new Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will take their seats and will have four new years of education fireworks in … Continue reading
The Tribune Sounds Off: BESE members’ only allegiance is to public school students
In a recent commentary, The New Orleans Tribune wrote: “Here at The Tribune, we vehemently urge voters to elect someone to BESE who is “with” what is best for all of the children of New Orleans.” Tribune writer Anitra Brown continues: “It is unnerving to hear it suggested that a candidate for BESE isn’t right … Continue reading
School pride, discipline key for principals
When principals Howard Davis and Lamont Cole enter their schools this month, it will be with two tried and true regulators: discipline and commitment. During separate interviews the two respected principals told Jozef Syndicate that they will not only corral students, parents, and teachers around school pride and school spirit, but they will also bring … Continue reading
Private school voucher program: hope or all hype?
By Kameko Thomas With Congress recently reinstating Washington DC’s school voucher program, the issue of providing state-funded private school vouchers for public, low-income, and mostly Black students in low-performing schools is once again on the national radar. The renewed interest has found its way back into the Louisiana State Capitol, where advocacy groups including the … Continue reading
Jozef Syndicate 