K-12
Louisiana Dept. of Education failed to investigate 40% of disability complaints, audit finds
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) failed to investigate a significant number of formal complaints against schools not following federal laws to protect students with disabilities during the 2021-2022 school year, according to a new report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. Auditors found state education officials investigated and resolved 61 complaints during the 2021-2022 school […]
Hit the snooze button: States debate later high school start times
California and Florida have become the first states to require later public school start times, a response to reams of research showing significant advantages for high school students who can get more sleep by beginning their day at 8:30 a.m. or later. But such changes come with difficult ripple effects — upended bus schedules, later starts […]
Gun law raises funding concerns for school hunting programs
WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers are concerned that the Biden administration is interpreting last year’s bipartisan gun safety law to cut funding for school archery and hunting programs, though programs themselves say they haven’t been affected. A provision in the law – a bipartisan effort to curb gun violence that established new criminal offenses, and expanded background […]
Cities are embracing teen curfews, though they might not curb crime
In response to growing public concern over crime, cities and counties throughout the United States are returning to a familiar tool: curfews for young people. Proponents argue curfews curb crime and protect youth by keeping them off the streets. But research suggests curfews are ineffective, and some juvenile justice advocates and experts warn of unintended […]
As Trump visits New Hampshire, supporters cheer an ally on ‘parental rights’
WINDHAM, New Hampshire — Republicans who turned Tuesday out to support former President Donald Trump made it clear that “parental rights” will be a top concern heading into next year’s Republican primary. Held at Windham High School, the event marked Trump’s first campaign rally in New Hampshire since last week’s indictment by the Department of […]
‘We’re huge in learning loss!’ Cashing in on the post-pandemic education crisis
For the nation’s schoolchildren, the data on pandemic learning loss is relentlessly bleak, with education researchers and economists warning that, unless dramatic action is taken, students will suffer a lifelong drop in income as a result of lagging achievement. “This cohort of students is going to be punished throughout their lifetime,” noted Eric Hanushek, the […]
Plagued by teacher shortages, some states turn to fast-track credentialing
Faced with alarming teacher shortages, Virginia last month agreed to partner with a for-profit online teacher credentialing company, hoping to get more teachers into classrooms faster and without the higher tuition costs of traditional colleges and universities. While some of the Virginia school board members had qualms about the process, they agreed to give it […]
Public schools banned from sheltering migrants under bill passed by U.S. House
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed a bill Wednesday night to bar the use of public K-12 school facilities to provide shelter for migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. The bill, approved 222-201, is known as the “Schools Not Shelters Act” and is a rebuke of the Biden administration’s immigration policy. If enacted into law, […]
80 foreign teachers arrive in Louisiana to teach at language immersion schools
Schools across Louisiana will have 80 teachers from around the world in classrooms this upcoming school year as part of an exchange program that bolsters the state’s K-12 foreign language immersion programs. The teachers arrived in Baton Rouge for an orientation Wednesday with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, state education officials, the Council for the Development of […]
Louisiana’s education chief to address extremist Moms for Liberty group
Louisiana’s superintendent of education will speak to a local chapter of a national group a civil rights watchdog has identified as an extremist organization. Cade Brumley, who oversees the state’s K-12 public schools, will be the featured speaker of the East Baton Rouge chapter of Moms for Liberty at its monthly meeting July 24. The […]
Louisiana now gives bigger tax break for private school tuition
A private school tuition tax break Louisiana families can claim will increase from $5,000 to $6,000 per student per year under a law that Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed. House Bill 32, sponsored by Rep. Laurie Schlegel, R-Metairie, allows taxpayers to deduct up to $6,000 for tuition and fees from their total taxable income […]
Louisiana teacher salaries still lag behind Southern, US average
An analysis of the most recent public school teacher salary data shows Louisiana still lags behind most of its regional peers — and is likely to remain there despite its legislature adding $2,000 for the upcoming school year. The state’s teacher compensation is also well below the national average, according to the Public Affairs Research […]