Education

Every child should have access to a high-quality education, ensuring every Louisiana resident has a chance to succeed. Louisiana cannot have a bright economic future without a workforce equipped with the skills and training necessary to compete in a 21st century economy. Revamping Louisiana’s educational system stands as an economic imperative—and a moral one too.

Education Savings Accounts: A New Opportunity for Louisiana Kids

While tax reform has rightly dominated the news coverage of Louisiana’s current legislative session, other bills filed by lawmakers are offering some very exciting opportunities for the state to introduce a new education reform that has proven beneficial for numerous families in other states. Education savings accounts, or ESAs for short, provide families of eligible...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Poll Shows Overwhelming Majority of Louisianans Want Fiscal Transparency in Schools

Why is Louisiana consistently ranked at the bottom when it comes to education even though we outspend our neighbors on our cost per student? A new poll shows that 94% of Louisianans agree that we need financial transparency in our school districts. Since our costs are so high and our outcomes are so bad, taxpayers...

By Ryan Roberts

Uncovering the Grade: A look into Louisiana’s school accountability system

Accountability is the bedrock of all education reforms in the United States. Testing and understanding the progress of students within a school illuminates the effectiveness of the curriculum and, in part, the instruction at the school level. Louisiana has had nearly three decades. of experience in developing and refining its accountability system, long before federal law...

By Sarah Harbison

(BIG) Solutions (mini) Summit(s) Day Three: Education Recap

Every child should have the opportunity to go to a school that is best for them. During the Pelican Institute’s recent “(BIG) Solutions (mini) Summit(s),” our expert keynote speakers and panelists offered several proven solutions to help Louisiana create an education system that lets every child thrive in a school of their choice. If you...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

We Need Transparency in our Schools

Taxpayers should know where the government is spending their money.

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Lawsuit to Help Louisiana Kids in Need

A little-known Louisiana law is preventing Ursula Newell-Davis, a professional social worker, from helping at-risk kids in her local community. Tune into the PeliCast Tuesday, as we sit down with our friends at Pacific Legal Foundation to discuss this unconstitutional state law and the new lawsuit challenging it.

By Sarah Harbison

Micro Schools and the Future of Education

What exactly are micro schools and how are they helping Louisiana students during COVID-19? Tune into the PeliCast live on our Facebook page as we dive into the conversation with Ashley Redd, head of school at NOLA Micro Schools.

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Celebrate School Choice Week with Pelican

by Daniel Erspamer, CEO, Pelican Institute Today, we begin our celebration of National School Choice Week! It feels like a lifetime ago since everyone gathered in person and virtually for the 2020 festivities. This last year has presented so many unique challenges for students and parents across Louisiana and the nation. These struggles only reinforce the...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Virtual Learning and Charter Schools During COVID-19

Virtual learning and “micro-schools” are things we’ve all learned about this year, but what do they actually mean for Louisiana kids and parents? Join us Friday at 2 p.m. for a live PeliCast with Dr. Lonnie Luce, Louisiana State Director of Charter Schools USA and Executive Director of Blended and Online School Solutions, as we...

By Ryan Roberts

COVID-19 and Workforce Development

How are school closures impacting Louisiana’s workforce? Today at 1:10 p.m. on the PeliCast, we dive into this topic with Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co.’s Kim Carver and Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Economic Competitiveness Liz Smith!

By Ryan Roberts

A Quality Education for Every Louisiana Resident

Louisiana cannot have a bright economic future without a workforce equipped with the skills and training necessary to compete in a 21st century economy. Revamping Louisiana’s educational system stands as an economic imperative—and a moral one, too. Ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education of their choosing will help ensure that every...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Back to School Week Episode 3: Louisiana School Updates, Future Plans and Reform Opportunities

Our new State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley joins the PeliCast! Listen in as we discuss current and future plans for Louisiana schools and Dr. Brumley gives his thoughts on solutions to expand school choice in our state. You won’t want to miss this one!

By Ryan Roberts

Pelican’s New Plan to Transform Education in Louisiana

COVID-19 has taught us many lessons, but something that’s become abundantly clear in recent months is a fact that many Louisiana families and advocates have already known for a long time: our state’s education status quo is broken, and an urgent fix is required. To solve this problem, the Pelican Institute developed a comprehensive policy roadmap...

By Ryan Roberts

Back to School Week Episode 2: Expanding School Choice in Louisiana

Louisiana Federation for Children Regional Government Affairs Director Kelli Bottger joins the PeliCast to talk about her experiences as a Louisiana educator and why we must expand options to give our state’s children a school that fits their needs. Send us any questions you have for Kelli or our Education Policy Director Ethan J. Melançon...

By Daniel J. Erspamer