Pelican Back to School Week Offers Solutions to Transform Louisiana Education

08/17/2020

We all remember the first day of school, but this year is clearly different than any other we’ve experienced. While some students will carry a mask and hand sanitizer along with their other usual classroom materials, many are not even getting the option of returning to the classroom. Desks and textbooks are being replaced by...

TAGS: a school that fits, Back to School, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Education, Education Reform, School choice

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

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

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

Transfer Process for New Orleans Schools Approved

By Fergus Hodgson

12/09/2010

After 13 hours of stormy debate, Recovery School District schools may now petition for a new governing authority or a return to their previous governing authority.

TAGS: Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, Cowen Institute, Orleans Parish School Board, Paul Pastorek, Recovery School District

A Tax Plan for Our Brighter Future

A Tax Plan for Our Brighter Future paper-digital In Louisiana’s Comeback: A Tax Reform for Our Brighter Future, the Pelican Institute identifies the state’s significant tax problems and proposes a path to set the state in a brighter direction, including flattening the personal and corporate income taxes to 3.5% rates, reducing the number of tax preferences, eliminating...

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