Education
Attempts to ban teaching on ‘critical race theory’ multiply across the U.S.
WASHINGTON—From statehouses to Congress, Republicans have launched into a fight against the teaching of “critical race theory,” which just a year ago was a niche academic term. Experts in critical race theory say it’s about acknowledging how racial disparities are embedded in U.S history and society, and the concept is being mischaracterized by conservatives. But […]
Jeff Landry joins Republican AGs who object to U.S. Department of Education proposal on teaching about racism
WASHINGTON — More than two dozen Republican attorneys general are voicing their disapproval over the Department of Education’s proposed priorities for teaching K-12 students about American history and civics education because they would include references to systemic racism and how the history of slavery has shaped the U.S. The state attorneys general argue in a […]
Louisiana High School Athletic Association removed transgender boy from cross country team in 2019
In 2019, Ashton was hoping to join the military after graduating from Mandeville High School. So as a senior, he joined the boys cross country team to get himself into better shape. He started attending summer running practices ahead of the fall season. Ashton wasn’t very fast, but he appreciated the team’s camaraderie and it […]
Louisiana Senate supports college athletes making money from endorsements
Olivia Dunne, a star gymnast at LSU, began her freshman year in the fall with over a million followers on Instagram, which means, according to a report from a digital media-focused company called Cheq, she could make up to $250,000 per post. But by the current collegiate athletic rules, even if Dunne made money off […]
Senate education committee passes resolution in response to youth suicide
The Senate Education Committee advanced without objection a resolution ask the education department to look for for free or low-cost ways to prevent violence and suicide among students. SCR 50 by Sen. Cleo Fields (D-Baton Rouge) would ask the Louisiana Department of Education to report school systems’ current “evidence-based principles” in dealing with violence and […]
Mandatory kindergarten approved by Louisiana Senate
The Louisiana Senate voted 34-1 Thursday to require Louisiana’s 5-year-olds to attend kindergarten. Sen. Cleo Fields (D-Baton Rouge), author of SB 10, said his bill is supported by — among others — the Louisiana School Board Association, the Louisiana Association of School Board Superintendents, The Louisiana Association of Educators, The American Federation of Children and […]
Round 2 of curriculum fight in Louisiana House Education committee
Louisiana public schools may soon be mandated to teach their students the “founding principles of the U.S.” — including “American exceptionalism,” globalism, and immigration policy — as well as “appropriate instruction regarding World War II and the Holocaust.” House Bill 352, by Rep. Valarie Hodges (R-Denham Springs), along with mandating schools to teach their students […]
House Education passes bill that would bar transgender women from competing on women sports teams
The Louisiana House Education Committee approved a bill to ban transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports after disapproving of a near-identical bill last week. Two Republican members of the committee — Rep. Stephanie Hilferty of Metairie and Rep. Barbara Freiberg of Baton Rouge — voted in favor of SB 156 by […]
Resolution looking to study feasibility of banned corporal punishment in schools passes in committee
Sen. Cleo Fields’s (D-Baton Rouge) SCR 18, A resolution from Sen. Cleo Fields (R-Baton Rouge) which would ask BESE to “study the feasibility of banning the use of corporal punishment in public schools” advanced without objection from the Louisiana House Education Committee a week after the Louisiana House rejected a bill that would immediately ban […]
Bill that requires school buses to have seat belts passes in House
A bill that would require school buses to have seat belts passed in the Louisiana House of Representatives by a 55-44 vote. Rep. Robert Carter (D-Amite), who introduced HB 130, said he sponsored similar legislation that passed in 2004, but money was never appropriated to implement it. Rep. Buddy Mincey (R-Denham Springs) declared his opposition […]
FDA green lights Pfizer vaccine for kids 12-15, with CDC still to act
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday signed off on expanding the use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12 to 15, clearing one key hurdle before that age group can begin receiving the two-shot vaccine. But another step is needed before tweens and teens can line up for shots. The […]
William Tate selected to serve as LSU’s first Black president
William Tate, a former professor and provost for academic affairs at the University of South Carolina, was named LSU’s next president by the Board of Supervisors Thursday. He will become the first Black person to run LSU in the 161 year history of the university. Not only that, but Tate will also become the first […]