HB1033 becomes better with amendments

HB1033: Bad bill becomes better with amendments that make it more fair to teachers

HB1033 moved one step closer to becoming law, as it passed out of the Senate Education Committee and onto its next stop, debate on the Senate floor.

LAE continues an around-the-clock effort to lobby lawmakers against this recycled element of Governor Jindal's failed Race to the Top application. But LAE members can be proud to know your calls and e-mails did make a difference.

A lone vote against HB1033 was cast by Senator Yvonne Dorsey.  Even though LAE strongly opposes HB 1033, we thank Senator Ben Nevers for championing our campaign against this bad bill by sponsoring amendments that:

• expand targeted population beyond teachers to now include administrators and educators at charter schools;
  
• enlarge oversight committee so that now half will be teachers, and allow each "interest group" to select its own representative;
  
• require a report to the education committee, at least 60 days prior to the 2011-2012 regular session, on the status of the development of the value-added assessment model. 
  

Thank Senator Dorsey (225-342-9700 or dorseyy@legis.state.la.us) and Senator Nevers (985-732-6863 or neversb@legis.state.la.us).