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.

How are federal COVID recovery dollars being used to reverse student learning loss?

A few weeks ago, we wrote about Louisiana public school students’ performance on the 2022 Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) test and what their scores tell us about learning loss since the COVID-19 pandemic. The takeaway was that, while results show improvement over the prior year, Louisiana remains far from being fully recovered. Only three...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Are Louisiana Schools Preparing Kids for College and Careers?

Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has been considering changes to the K-12 school accountability rating system, and as part of that process, has unearthed quite a bit of data showing how well public schools are preparing kids. They have shown data in three key areas: how schools help kids meet a basic...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

School Accountability Improvements Deferred, but Parents Want Change

Earlier this week, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) voted to approve just one piece of a proposal to revamp the Louisiana K-12 Education School and District Accountability System, which would have better aligned the rating system with the board’s stated goals of having students achieve Mastery (proficiency) on state tests and...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Louisiana’s 2022 LEAP Scores: Some Improvement, But A Long Way to Go

The Louisiana Department of Education recently released public school students’ Louisiana Assessment of Educational Progress (LEAP) scores for the 2021-2022 school year. The tests measure student learning in English language arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies. Scores are reported in five achievement levels, ranging from Unsatisfactory (Level 1) to Advanced (Level 5). Mastery (Level...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Basic Literacy & Numeracy Should be the Least We Expect From Our Public Schools

Last week at a meeting where local school superintendents were reviewing proposed new state K-12 education policies about high schools, there was an interesting discussion about what high schools should be expected to do to help kids who are academically struggling. The question came up after data showed that only 37 percent of Louisiana high...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Making Sense of School Rankings and Ratings: Parents Just Want it Straight

WalletHub just released another report in which it ranked Louisiana 49th in education. Around the same time, The Advocate reported that 70 percent of high schools in Louisiana are rated “A” or “B.” How can both of these things be true, and where can parents of school-age kids access information about school quality they can...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Report Shows Louisiana Ranked Among Worst for Public Schools

A new Wallethub study reviewed the quality and safety of American public school systems and showed that Louisiana’s public school system ranks 49th overall. The study used quality as 80 percent of the score with safety making up the other 20 percent. To produce the rankings, researchers looked at high-school graduation rates, math and reading...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

No Veto Override: A Missed Opportunity for Louisiana’s Kids

Yesterday, Louisiana House of Representatives Speaker Clay Schexnayder and Senate President Page Cortez notified members of the legislature that a special session will not be held to consider overriding some or all of the 29 bills Governor Edwards vetoed from the 2022 Regular Session. This is because a sufficient number of lawmakers — 39 House...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Government Education Monopoly Busted…Just Not in Louisiana

There’s big news for parents of school-age kids. Finally, the chance for all families to choose the school that best fits their child, whether that’s a public school, a private school, homeschool, or a customized or hybrid program. Too bad Louisiana’s children aren’t getting this opportunity. If only our governor would prioritize kids over status...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Statement: Governor Edwards Vetoes Education Options for Disabled Kids and Struggling Readers

For media inquiries please contact Ryan Roberts (504) 481-9931 or ryan@pelicaninstitute.org. Baton Rouge — CEO of the Pelican Institute, Daniel Erspamer released the following statement after Governor Edwards vetoed education savings account bills that would’ve helped kids with disabilities or struggling to read have a tailored education: “We are disappointed that Governor Edwards has vetoed HB194...

By Ryan Roberts

Louisiana Legislature Stands Strong for Charter Schools

School choice has definitely been front and center during the 2022 legislative session, but not just because of the proposed new education savings account programs. The Louisiana Legislature has considered several bills related to charter schools that would either help or hinder their ability to serve students throughout Louisiana. Charter schools are public schools authorized...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Louisiana High School Diplomas: The Latest Participation Trophies?

Last week, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education called an emergency meeting to consider waivers of state graduation requirements for the Class of 2022. Current graduation requirements, in place for well over a decade, require students to score an “Approaching Basic” level – two full levels below what is considered proficient – on...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Mo’ Money, Less Transparency?

Earlier this week, Louisiana’s House of Representatives Education Committee heard House Bill 526 by Representative Rick Edmonds, which would require all local public school systems to post certain fiscal information online. The bill would provide parents and the public with easy access to school budgets, revenue and expenditure reports, contracts, and audits to help them...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.

Don’t Believe the Lies: ESAs Don’t Defund Public Schools

This legislative session, state lawmakers have filed several bills to give families more options for their child’s education in the form of new education savings accounts (ESAs). Several of those bills – HB 33 (children in military families, foster care, and D- and F-rated schools), HB 194 (students with disabilities), HB 452 (bullied students), and...

By Erin Bendily, Ph.D.