Education

Louisiana college leaders sound alarm over possible $250 million budget cut next year

BY ASHLEY WHITE | Staff writer
Updated 26 mins ago

Louisiana higher education leaders are bracing for the possibility of major budget cuts next year, a prospect they said could be devastating after years of reduced funding for the state’s publ…

Jeff Landry names 7 to LSU board, including oil and gas legal foe John Carmouche

BY TYLER BRIDGES | Staff writer
2 hrs ago

Gov. Jeff Landry announced a slate of appointees Thursday to plum positions on the LSU Board of Supervisors, including John Carmouche, a political ally who is a bogeyman to oil and gas compani…

Here are the 17 applicants for East Baton Rouge Parish schools superintendent

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
Jun 12, 2024

Here are the names of the 17 applicants for East Baton Rouge Parish schools superintendent along with their current job and employer:

Louisiana high schoolers on a career path will be able to skip the ACT

By PATRICK WALL | Staff writer
Jun 11, 2024

Some Louisiana high schoolers will be able to skip the ACT after Gov. Jeff Landry signed a bill into law Tuesday over the objections of the state board of education, which said the change coul…

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17 people apply for Baton Rouge schools superintendent

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
Jun 11, 2024

Seventeen people, including Interim Supt. Adam Smith, submitted applications to become the next permanent leader of the East Baton Rouge Parish school system, the second largest in the state.

Louisiana ranks 48th in child wellbeing, but has made some progress: report

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO | Staff writer
Jun 11, 2024

Louisiana is one of the worst states for child well-being, ranking 48th in the country behind only Mississippi and New Mexico, according to a new report.

Louisiana policymakers approve tougher system for grading schools

By PATRICK WALL | Staff writer
Updated Jun 11, 2024

Louisiana’s top education policymakers endorsed a sweeping plan Tuesday to overhaul how schools are rated, a bid to raise expectations that district leaders warned will lead to lower school gr…

‘Slow it down’: Louisiana’s plan to overhaul school grading system faces pushback

By PATRICK WALL | Staff writer
Updated Jun 11, 2024

Louisiana is set to adopt a tougher rating system for K-12 schools in an effort to raise standards and spur improvements that could leave many schools with lower grades.

Gov. Landry appoints lawyer as chair of Louisiana community, technical colleges

BY ASHLEY WHITE | Staff writer
Updated Jun 12, 2024

Gov. Jeff Landry appointed an environmental lawyer to oversee Louisiana's community college system, the governor's office announced Monday.

Baton Rouge superintendent search enters speed round: See when the final vote might happen

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
Jun 7, 2024

The search for the next leader of the East Baton Rouge Parish school system will soon enter a busy, 21-day last stretch, ending with a final selection on July 1.

Baton Rouge school board members debate employee pay raise, sustainability

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
Jun 6, 2024

A proposal to increase salaries for East Baton Rouge public school educators by $2,200, bringing starting teachers to $50,000 a year, comes as the neighboring district continues to boost pay i…

Louisiana board of education urges Landry to veto bill making ACT optional

By PATRICK WALL | Staff writer
Jun 6, 2024

The head of Louisiana’s state board of education urged Gov. Jeff Landry on Wednesday to veto a bill allowing some high schoolers to opt out of the ACT, saying the measure would weaken school a…

Louisiana might allow some high schoolers to opt out of the ACT. Here’s why.

By PATRICK WALL | Staff writer
Jun 5, 2024

Louisiana could soon allow some high schoolers to opt out of the ACT, a college-readiness test the state has long required students to take as part of a push to promote higher education.

New principals named at two Baton Rouge magnet schools: WHAM and Dufrocq elementaries

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
Jun 4, 2024

Two Baton Rouge public schools, the Dufrocq School and Westdale Heights Academic Magnet, on Monday announced new principals.

New Orleans valedictorian lived in a homeless shelter as he rose to the top of his class

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jun 3, 2024

From a New Orleans homeless shelter to the top of his high school class, Elijah Hogan has already conquered much in life.

Out with the new, in with the old: Baton Rouge School Board abruptly drops new committees

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
Jun 3, 2024

After just three months, the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board has cut short its experiment with smaller standing committees and has returned to having the entire board convene in what is k…

Demise of legislation means long road still for a St. George school district

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
Jun 1, 2024

Even as the city of St. George rushes to become a reality, the prospects for the speedy creation of a long-promised companion school district have receded but have not disappeared.

Baton Rouge schoolteachers would join 50K a year club under latest proposal

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
May 31, 2024

After initial criticism from some board members and employees about his first proposal, East Baton Rouge Parish interim Superintendent Adam Smith is sweetening the pot, proposing a $2,200 perm…

Louisiana lawmakers slam education chief for partnering with right-wing media group

By PATRICK WALL | Staff writer
Updated May 30, 2024

Democrats and Black lawmakers in Louisiana are denouncing the state Department of Education’s partnership with PragerU, a staunchly conservative nonprofit whose children's videos have been cri…

Louisiana Senate passes bill to protect teachers who reject students' preferred pronouns

By PATRICK WALL | Staff writer
Updated May 30, 2024

Louisiana is one step closer to giving teachers legal protection if they refuse to use a student’s preferred name or pronouns, the latest effort by the state Legislature to roll back support f…

Louisiana will let public schools show right-wing group's 'edu-tainment' videos, sparking outcry

By PATRICK WALL | Staff writer
Updated May 30, 2024

Louisiana's top education official said Tuesday that teachers can show students videos by PragerU, a right-wing media nonprofit that produces “pro-America” content that critics call conservati…

Louisiana House passes private school funding bill. How much it will cost is unclear.

By PATRICK WALL | Staff writer
Updated May 28, 2024

A bill to help Louisiana parents afford private school cleared its last major hurdle in the state Legislature Tuesday despite lingering uncertainty about the program's cost and disagreement ab…

Leaders of Impact Charter School in Baker investigated for possible fraud, financial crimes

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER | Staff writer
May 28, 2024

Impact Charter School's founder, principal and others have been named in a search warrant alleging possible financial crimes, fraud and theft at the school in Baker.

Baton Rouge is getting 3 new magnet school programs; a fourth is still looking for a home

BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer
May 28, 2024

Fueled by a $15 million federal grant, three elementary schools in Baton Rouge are racing to launch new arts-oriented magnet programs in time for when children return from summer break in August.

LGBTQ+ students feel 'powerless' as LA bills targeting pronouns, bathrooms head to Landry's desk

BY DESIREE STENNETT | Staff writer
Updated May 28, 2024

While many of his classmates are excited about graduation and other special moments that will mark their senior year, Zelda Duitch is busy watching the Legislature.

Federal money helped Louisiana schools expand summer school. What happens when it’s gone?

BY ASHLEY WHITE | Staff writer
Updated May 26, 2024

Federal pandemic funding has allowed school districts to bolster summer school programs to address learning loss.

Cell phones ‘can get really distracting.’ Some Louisiana students wouldn't mind a ban.

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO | Staff writer
May 25, 2024

Before the cell phone ban, Ruston High School English teacher Sydney Phillips had to fight to get her students’ attention. It was often a losing battle.

Pay raises are in the works for Ascension Parish school teachers and staff. Here's how much.

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL | Staff writer
May 24, 2024

More than 3,420 Ascension Parish public school employees would get across-the-board permanent raises under a $318 million proposed spending plan for next school year.