We Need Transparency in our Schools

By Daniel J. Erspamer

04/06/2021

Taxpayers should know where the government is spending their money.

TAGS: BESE, Charter Schools, Education, Education Reform, Louisiana Legislature, Transparency

Pelican Responds to Selection of Next State Superintendent

05/20/2020

Today, in an eight to three vote, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) selected Dr. Cade Brumley as the next state Superintendent of Education. The following is a statement from Ethan Melancon, director of education policy at the Pelican Institute, regarding the selection. “The Pelican Institute would like to extend a warm congratulations...

TAGS: BESE, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Cade Brumley, State Superintendent of Education

Pelican Lists Qualities it Seeks in Next State Superintendent

05/07/2020

Today, the Pelican Institute released a list of key beliefs the next state Superintendent of Education should possess in leading Louisiana’s education system. On May 20, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is expected to select the next superintendent from a slate of its top six candidates. After recently surveying Louisiana citizens...

TAGS: BESE, Education, Education Reform, State Superintendent of Education

Why Course Choice Matters

By Ben Kilpatrick

05/29/2013

Given the wealth of options, Course Choice has the potential to deeply impact student achievement at all grade levels, as well as provide for the career and college readiness of our student population.

TAGS: BESE, Course Choice, Education Reform, John White, Louisiana, online learning

The Louisiana Teacher Union Paradox

By Editor

11/01/2012

Teacher union challenges to real education reform continue to exist, though often in ways that are not measurable or reportable. If you dig deeper, the unions’ power and influence, particularly at the local school district level, remain strong in this state, challenging education reform efforts at every step of the electoral, legislative and policy implementation processes.

TAGS: BESE, Bobby Jindal, Charter Schools, Education Reform, Louisiana Association of Teachers, Louisiana Federation of Teachers, paycheck protection, School choice, teachers unions, tenure reform

Value-Added Teacher Evaluation Divides BESE Candidates, Draws Union Opposition

By Kevin Mooney

11/03/2011

Test scores that measure the progress students make each year will now be used as part of a new evaluation system that determines how effective teachers are in the classroom. But not everyone with a stake in the public education system is pleased with the change.

TAGS: Advisory Committee on Educator Evaluations (ACEE), BESE, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Louisiana Association of Educators, Louisiana Department of Education, Louisiana Federation of Teachers, teachers union, value-added teacher evaluation

Student Based Budgeting Viewed as Logical Extension of Charter School Movement

By Kevin Mooney

10/21/2011

Strong performing charter schools in the Recovery School District (RSD) make a compelling case for even greater decentralization in Louisiana’s education system, according to the proponents of student based budgeting.

TAGS: BESE, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Charter Schools, Recovery School District, Student Based Bugeting

Debate Intensifies Over Alleged Profit Motive in Public Education

By Kevin Mooney

10/19/2011

Are business interests plotting to take over the public education system and turn a profit at the expense of the public? That is the charge leading figures within the Coalition for Public Education have aimed against Gov. Bobby Jindal and the school board candidates who favor charter schools.

TAGS: BESE, Charter Schools, Coalition for Public Education, election, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Recovery School District, school board, Teach for America

BESE Candidates Sharply Divided Over Letter Grade System Measuring School Performance

By Kevin Mooney

10/07/2011

Letter grades that show a sizable percentage of Louisiana public schools are either failing or under-performing continue to generate controversy. A union-led coalition warns against Gov. Jindal's privatization agenda, while a business group says the unions fear transparency and accountability.

TAGS: BESE, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Coalition for Louisiana Public Education, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, New Orleans, Recovery School District

Union-Backed BESE Candidates Could Face Stiff Competition

By Kevin Mooney

09/02/2011

Union-backed school board candidates who oppose school choice initiatives, teacher evaluations, heightened curriculum standards, the abolition of tenure and other policy changes could face strong opposition this fall. All eight of the elected seats on the 11 member Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) are open to primary challenges.

TAGS: Alliance for Better Classrooms, BESE, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Paul Pastorek

Antitrust & Enforcement: Letting Markets Work without Empowering Government

In their report “Antitrust & Enforcement: Letting Markets Work without Empowering Government,” Ted Bolema, Ph.D., J.D., Antitrust and Competition Fellow at the Innovators Network Foundation, and Vance Ginn, Ph.D., Chief Economist at the Pelican Institute, write that while the current frustrations with the size of large tech companies and censorship practices may be warranted, giving...

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