tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90601356112894125532024-03-19T07:27:30.682-05:00LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATORS - UniServ Region 11LAE - UniServ Region 11 Locals:
Ascension, West Feliciana, East Feliciana, St. Helena, Louisiana School of the Deaf, Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, Special School District, Lafourche, Terrebonne.
(Aurelia Young - UniServ Director)Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-84614027077046729392013-05-20T13:15:00.001-05:002013-05-20T13:15:51.905-05:00LAE Summer Leadership Training - Lafourche/Terrebonne AreaYou are invited to attend the LAE 2013 Summer Leadership Training which is scheduled for:
<b>Date: June 1, 2013
</b>Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Place: Terrebonne Parish Library North Branch
4130 West Park Ave.
Gray, LA 70359
Phone: 985.868.3050
Email UniServ Director Aurelia Young for more information – aurelia.young@lae.org.
This training will include all association representatives and leaders in Assumption, Lafourche, St. James, and Terrebonne Parishes.
Registration will begin at 9:00 am. Lunch will be provided!
This training is designed for all Association Representatives (AR), local leaders and interested members. Your attendance is important! We are in desperate need of Association Representatives in each school therefore; your attendance is vitally important in building the organization. Please respond to this email if you are available to attend or not. If you cannot attend, please send someone in your place and respond with their name, telephone number and school location.
Mark your calendars to attend! We expect to see you there!
Aurelia L. Young
UniServ Director
Louisiana Association of Educators
Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-74651233950358590392013-05-20T13:08:00.001-05:002013-05-20T13:08:09.749-05:00LAE Summer Leadership Training - Tangipahoa AreaYou are invited to attend the LAE 2013 Summer Leadership Training which is scheduled for:
Date: June 7, 2013
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Place: Tangipahoa Parish Library - Amite Branch
204 NE Central Ave.
Amite, Louisiana 70422
Phone: (985)748-7151
Email UniServ Director Aurelia Young for more information – aurelia.young@lae.org.
This training will include all association representatives and leaders in UniServ Region 9: (Ascension, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa Parishes)
Registration will begin at 9:00 am. Lunch will be provided!
This training is designed for all Association Representatives (AR), local leaders and interested members. Your attendance is important! We are in desperate need of Association Representatives in each school therefore; your attendance is vitally important in building the organization. Please respond to this email if you are available to attend or not. If you cannot attend, please send someone in your place and respond with their name, telephone number and school location.
Mark your calendars to attend! We expect to see you there!
Aurelia L. Young
UniServ Director
Louisiana Association of Educators
Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-4079090886241637762013-04-22T12:30:00.001-05:002013-04-22T12:30:57.708-05:00OPPOSE ACT 1 REDUX BILLS HB 478, HB 596 AND HB 644<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>TAKE ACTION TODAY! CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. TELL THEM TO OPPOSE ACT 1 REDUX BILLS HB 478, HB 596 AND HB 644!<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Next Wednesday, April 24th, the House Committee on Education will take up ACT 1 REDUX legislation. Even though, Act 1 of 2012 was ruled unconstitutional by a Baton Rouge District Judge and is now waiting on a ruling by the Louisiana Supreme Court, Governor Bobby Jindal continues to ignore the judicial system by trying to force three (3) separate bills, through the House Education Committee, to re-enact Act 1 of 2012.<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>These bills do NOTHING to improve public education in Louisiana. The Governor wants to keep up the attack on many fronts, to confuse the supporters of public education. HB 478, 596 and 644 are punitive with respect to public education, educators and students. These bills do NOT improve or support teachers in the classroom and will create a process that will intimidate and fire good teachers for non-valid reasons.<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>HB 478<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>• Intensifies reliance on high-stakes tests to evaluate teachers and schools. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>• Creates a dismissal process for teachers based on the flawed method of teacher evaluation brought forth in ACT 54. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>• Eliminates seniority as a criterion in all reduction in force (RIF) decisions. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>• Creates a dismissal process for teachers based on a flawed method of teacher evaluation. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>• Takes away all due process rights if an educator receives just one "ineffective" rating, with no proof or documentation required.<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>HB 596 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>• Tightens the regulations on public schools while deregulating the privately managed schools.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>• Gives superintendents and principals sole discretion on employment decisions without school board approval and oversight.<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>HB 644<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>• Educators stand to lose salary schedules based on the state's minimum salary schedule established by law and allow the state to manipulate district salary schedules based on the flawed "value-added" model (VAM).<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>• Allows local superintendents to immediately fire any teacher who was rated "ineffective" by the flawed "value-added" system of evaluation without adequate due process.<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='color:red; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt; text-decoration:underline'><strong> Please take action in three ways >>><br /></strong></span></p><p><br /> </p><ol><li><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>First, send an email to all members of the House Education Committee? A sample email is provided below. Just copy and paste all House Education Committee member emails into the "To" line of your email and then copy and paste the body of the message into your email and press send.<br /></span></li></ol><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>(<strong>Copy and Paste Email Addresses of House Education Committee</strong>) <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>carters@legis.la.gov; jeffersonpo@legis.la.gov; bishopw@legis.la.gov; broadwaterc@legis.la.gov; burnsh@legis.la.gov; carmodyt@legis.la.gov; champags@legis.la.gov; edwardsj@legis.la.gov; henryc@legis.la.gov; hollisp@legis.la.gov; iveyb@legis.la.gov; landryn@legis.la.gov; pricee@legis.la.gov; richardj@legis.la.gov; shadoinr@legis.la.gov; smithp@legis.la.gov; thompsonj@legis.la.gov; williamsa@legis.la.gov; larep036@legis.la.gov; legerw@legis.la.gov<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>(<span style='text-decoration:underline'><strong>Copy and Paste the body of this message into your email</strong></span>)<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Dear Members of the House Committee on Education,<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Please oppose HB 478, HB 596, and HB 644.<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>HB 478, 596 and 644 are punitive with respect to public education, educators and students. These bills do NOT improve or support teachers in the classroom and will create a process that will intimidate and fire good teachers for non-valid reasons.<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>HB 478 attempts to eliminate a fair process for dismissal in Reduction-In-Force (RIF) situations. Under current law, seniority is only one of several criteria the school board may use to reduce in force. If passed, HB 478 would lay-off our most experienced teachers from the classroom, and reduce -- and most likely eliminate -- the increased knowledge base in our classrooms, thereby hurting students. This is not in the best interest of students or the educators who teach them. Using only performance-based RIFs hurts students, due to the fact that the model (VAM) used to determine the performance of a teacher is mathematically and statistically flawed. Basing a Reduction-In-Force (RIF) on performance in Louisiana is a flawed and misrepresented process and should not be allowed.<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>HB 596 attempts to give superintendents and principals sole discretion on employment decisions without school board approval and oversight and tighten regulations on public schools while deregulating the privately managed schools.<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>HB 644 attempts to create a compensation system that will cause disparity among teachers in regard to salaries, due to the fact that the compensation system proposed is based on the same mathematically and statistically flawed system of evaluation, being used in HB 478 for Reduction-In-Force (RIF) situations. The new compensation system proposes to base 50% of a teacher's salary solely on performance, which is derived from the "value-added model" (VAM) data system; a model that has been proven to be an invalid and unreliable method in which to gauge a teacher's effectiveness in the classroom.<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Many reports over the past year have shown major flaws in the current "value-added" (VAM) system of teacher evaluation in Louisiana. To use this flawed system to lay-off a teacher or calculate a teacher's compensation level is irresponsible.<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Please oppose HB 478, HB 596 and HB 644 in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, April 24th.<br /></span></p><p> <br /> </p><p> <br /> </p><ol><li><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Second, please call the district offices of all the House Education Committee members. Phone numbers for all House Education Committee members are listed below. Simply leave a message with their district office asking them to oppose HB 478, HB 596 and HB 644, coming up in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, April 24th. These bills will only hurt students and teachers.<br /></span></li></ol><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Steve Carter (Chair): (225) 362-5305<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Patrick Jefferson (Vice Chair): (318) 927-2519 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Wesley Bishop: (504) 242-4198 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Christopher Broadwater: (985) 543-4900 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Henry Burns: (318) 949-2463<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Thomas Carmody: (318) 862-9956 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Simone Champagne: (337) 937-8827 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative John Bel Edwards: (985) 748-2245<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Cameron Henry: (504) 838-5433 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Paul Hollis: (985) 871-4680 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Barry Ivey: (225) 261-5739 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Nancy Landry: (337) 262-2252<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Edward Price: (225) 644-6738 <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Jerome Richard: (985) 447-0999<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Robert Shadoin: (318) 251-5039<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Patricia Haynes Smith: (225) 342-7106<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Jeff Thompson: (318) 741-2850<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Representative Alfred Williams: (225) 382-3243<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><ol><li><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Third, please meet us on the Capitol Steps at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24th. LAE will give a brief overview of the legislation and then proceed to the House Education Committee hearing at 8:30 a.m. The hearing itself will be in House Committee Room 1 and begin at 9:00 a.m.<br /></span></li></ol><p> <br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Thank you for taking action to contact members of the House Education Committee!<br /></span></p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-86924228431344611722013-04-14T11:34:00.001-05:002013-04-14T11:34:33.588-05:00Calling All Employees in West Feliciana<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt; text-decoration:underline'><strong>Calling All Employees in the West Feliciana Parish School District<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt'><span style='color:red'><strong>Our Jobs Are At Risk!</strong><br /> </span>The district has declared a <span style='text-decoration:underline'>R</span>eduction <span style='text-decoration:underline'>I</span>n <span style='text-decoration:underline'>F</span>orce (RIF) which will occur on May 1, 2013. This will mean a lay off for many of us employed in this school district. Being the president of the West Feliciana Association of Educators, I have scheduled a meeting for all employees to attend in order to discuss the lay off and receive information on the RIF process. This meeting is being held by the Louisiana Association of Educators and the West Feliciana Association of Educators. LAE staff will be there to talk with us and answer our questions concerning the RIF. <span style='color:red; text-decoration:underline'><strong>We do not stand alone in this crisis!<br /></strong></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt'>Please schedule your calendar to attend this important meeting! The meeting will take place on:<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:18pt; text-decoration:underline'><strong>Thursday, April 18, 2013<br /></strong></span></p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt'><strong>Time: 5:00 pm <br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt'><strong>Place: St. Francisville Town Hall<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt'><strong> 11936 Ferdinand St, <br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt'><strong> St Francisville, LA 70775<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt'> </span><span style='font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt; background-color:yellow; text-decoration:underline'><strong>Make Plans to Attend!! Your Jobs Are At Risk!</strong></span><span style='color:black; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt'><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt'>Mildred Armstrong – WFAE President<br /></span></p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-60036966236885434052013-04-03T09:41:00.001-05:002013-04-03T09:41:45.510-05:00A message from President Haynes: President's Corner - 4/2/13<span xmlns=''><p><img alt='' src='cid:image001.png@01CE2FB5.44C1F130'/><br /> </p><p><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='color:red; font-size:14pt'><strong>A Good Read: <em>John Wilson Unleashed: You Better Start Listening to Teachers<br /></em></strong></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'>Former NEA Executive Director John Wilson writes a blog for <em>EdWeek </em>called, <em>John Wilson Unleashed</em>. He recently wrote a piece about the indications of unrest surrounding the latest <em>MetLife American Teacher Survey</em>; he called the results dismaying, but not surprising, saying that politicians, education leaders, business CEOs, and parents must listen to teachers before serious damage is done to the public schools of America. Please take some time to read this blog post – the link is provided below. If you're interested in reading the entire survey, a link to the survey is provided within the post. <a href='http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/john_wilson_unleashed/2013/02/you_better_start_listening_to_teachers.html'>http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/john_wilson_unleashed/2013/02/you_better_start_listening_to_teachers.html</a>. <br /></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='color:red; font-family:Calibri; font-size:14pt'>Another Good Read: <em>Flaws In The Tennessee Teacher Evaluation System</em><br /> </span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt'>The <em>Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model</em> evaluation system has had a problematic implementation. From evaluator training problems to the use of inappropriate testing data, educators have little faith in the model's ability to fairly assess effective teaching. Go to <a href='http://www.lae.org/ImagesLive/Users/8/FlawsinTennesseeEvalSystem.doc'><span style='color:blue; text-decoration:underline'>http://www.lae.org/ImagesLive/Users/8/FlawsinTennesseeEvalSystem.doc</span></a> to read about the model's specific problems, and then see what our NEA brothers and sisters at the Tennessee Education Association are doing to address these flaws – <a href='http://teateachers.org/news/tea-announces-agenda-address-flaws-evaluation-system'><span style='color:blue; text-decoration:underline'>http://teateachers.org/news/tea-announces-agenda-address-flaws-evaluation-system</span></a>. <br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='color:red; font-family:Calibri; font-size:14pt'>Another Good Read:<em> Investing In Louisiana: The Economic Impact of Louisiana's Largest Public Retirement System</em><br /> </span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt'>Want to know just how big of an impact the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) has on our state's economy? Check out TRSL's 2013<em><br /> </em>economic impact report, <em>Investing in Louisiana: The Economic Impact of Louisiana's Largest Public Retirement System. </em>Here's the link: <a href='http://trsl.org/uploads/File/Investments/Econ_Impact_Web.pdf'><span style='color:blue; text-decoration:underline'>http://trsl.org/uploads/File/Investments/Econ_Impact_Web.pdf</span></a>. <br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='color:red; font-family:Calibri; font-size:14pt'>A Good Watch: The One Flaw in Women<br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt'>With Mothers' Day approaching, I encourage you to check out this inspirational short movie called, <em>The One Flaw in Women</em>. I hope this brightens your day and does the same for the important women in your life. Click the following link to view the video: <a href='http://www.flickspire.com/m/WalkTheTalk/OneFlawInWomen?lsid=4b2ef15bb8909da4a66cd1b61b653755'><span style='color:blue; text-decoration:underline'>http://www.flickspire.com/m/WalkTheTalk/OneFlawInWomen?lsid=4b2ef15bb8909da4a66cd1b61b653755</span></a>. <br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='color:red; font-family:Calibri'><span style='font-size:14pt'>Get To Know <em>Together Baton Rouge</em></span><span style='font-size:11pt'><br /> </span></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt'><em>Together Baton Rouge</em> is a broad-based coalition of institutions in the Greater Baton Rouge area that focuses on three basic goals: to build relationships across our community based on trust and a willingness to listen to each other; to equip members and leadership with skills and practices to get results; and to achieve change on concrete issues, as part of our common call to justice. The coalition was built to cross the lines of race, religion, neighborhood, and political affiliation. If you live in or around the Baton Rouge community, this is a great group to get involved with. If you don't live in Baton Rouge – and are extremely ambitious – consider looking into forming a coalition like this in your community. To learn more, visit <a href='http://www.togetherbr.org'><span style='color:blue; text-decoration:underline'>www.togetherbr.org</span></a>. <br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='color:red; font-family:Calibri; font-size:14pt'>The LAE Representative Assembly is Next Weekend<br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt'>The annual LAE Representative Assembly will be held at the Baton Rouge Marriott next Saturday and Sunday, April 13<sup>th</sup> and 14<sup>th</sup>. If you're in the area, make plans to join us to hear the discussion surrounding association business and upcoming action plans. You don't have to be a delegate come and listen to the conversation. We hope to see you there!<br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='color:red; font-family:Calibri; font-size:14pt'>The 2013 Legislative Session Begins Monday, April 8<sup>th</sup><br /> </span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify'>In just one week, the LAE Lobby Team will descend upon the Louisiana State Capitol to speak on behalf of the hard-working education employees of Louisiana. The 2013 Legislative Session begins on April 8<sup>th</sup>, and we need your help as we prepare for yet another fight. There will be a few days where we will need you to join us at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. The Lobby Team has not yet scheduled specific dates because these days are determined by the House and Senate education committees' schedules, but as we await this call to action, I ask that you get prepared by reserving personal days to be used as needed this April and May. Thanks in advance for your attention to this important matter.<br /></p><p style='text-align: justify'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify'><strong><span style='color:red; font-size:14pt'>Stay In Touch with the LAE Lobby Team By Signing up for <em>Communications from the Capitol</em></span><br /> </strong></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt'>It's important for you to stay in touch with the LAE Lobby Team during the 2013 Legislative Session. The LAE distributes <em>The Capitol Connection</em> in order to keep members informed on weekly happenings at the Louisiana Capitol. This e-newsletter provides you with important updates on the bills that stand to impact your professional future. <em>Capwiz XC</em> distributes urgent e-mail messages to members requesting immediate action. Both <em>Capwiz</em> and <em>The Capitol Connection</em> are easy ways for LAE members to stay connected and have their voices heard during the legislative session. Please sign up for <em>The LAE Capitol Connection</em> and <em>Capwiz XC</em> alerts TODAY! Go to <a href='http://www.lae.org'><span style='color:blue; text-decoration:underline'>www.lae.org</span></a> to get started! <br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='color:red; font-family:Calibri; font-size:14pt'>Dates To Remember <br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt'>4/8: Louisiana Legislative Session begins<br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt'>4/12: LAE Board Meeting<br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><h6><span style='font-family:Calibri; font-size:11pt'>4/13 – 4/14: LAE Representative Assembly<br /></span></h6></p><p style='text-align: justify; background: white'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><em>"In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn." <br/>― <a href='http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/136961.Phil_Collins'>Phil Collins</a><br /> </em></p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-26527828280870443042013-04-03T09:23:00.001-05:002013-04-03T09:23:23.577-05:00LAE 2013 Louisiana Legislature Regular Session Bill Watch Report<span xmlns=''><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><br /> </span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><strong><span style='font-family:Verdana'>2013 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:16pt'><br /> </span></strong></p><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><br/> <br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong>LAE BILL WATCH REPORT AS OF APRIL 2, 2013</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221882'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 46</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=58'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Price, Ed(D)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Authorizes a cost-of-living adjustment for certain retirees of the La. School Employees' Retirement System and their beneficiaries.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>02-21-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Retirement</span> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221898'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 57</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=76'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Pearson, Kevin(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to the actuarial liabilities of state retirement systems as relates to LASERS, TRSL, Louisiana School Employees' Retirement System, and the Louisiana State Police Retirement System.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>02-22-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Retirement</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221902'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 60</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=78'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Talbot, Kirk(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Relative to state and statewide retirement systems, prohibits certain members who are reemployed after retirement from receiving retirement benefits or accruing additional benefits.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>02-22-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Retirement</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221903'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 61</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=100'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Badon, Austin(D)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to the calculation of benefits for members of state and statewide retirement system.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>02-22-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Retirement</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221975'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 115</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=101'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>James, Ted(D)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides for parent petitions relative to the transfer of certain schools from the Recovery School District back to the local school system.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-13-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221989'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 129</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=44'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Pierre, Vincent(D)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Prohibits giving a teacher or administrator a performance rating until completion of his full evaluation.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-15-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222115'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 230</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=71'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Pope, Rogers(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to the definition of "eligible student" for participation in the Student Scholarship for Educational Excellence (voucher) Program.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Amend-Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-25-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222138'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 242</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=68'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Carter, Steve(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Authorizes the state superintendent of education to make certain adjustments to the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program accountability system.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-26-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222144'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 248</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=78'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Talbot, Kirk(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Relative to the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence (voucher) Program, requires that scholarship recipients annually meet certain criteria for program certification.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-26-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'> </td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'> </td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222145'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 249</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=55'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Richard, Jerome(I)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Changes certain eligibility criteria for participation in the Course Choice Program.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-26-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222272'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 343</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=72'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Edwards, John Bel(D)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Prohibits certain public high school students from being administered tests pursuant to La. Education Assessment Program or the La. School and District Accountability System with certain exceptions.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-27-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222275'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 346</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=55'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Richard, Jerome(I)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Requires legislative approval of changes made to school performance score ranges.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-27-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222482'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 478</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=49'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Champagne, Simone(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to school board reduction in force policies.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222543'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 531</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=62'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Havard, Kenny(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Constitutional Amendment to provide relative to increasing the financial burden of public school systems.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222570'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 540</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=50'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Jones, Sam(D)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Repeals provisions of law relative to teacher certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'> </td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'> </td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222571'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 541</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=74'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Simon, Scott(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to a students access to an effective teacher.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222572'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 542</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=53'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Whitney, Lenar(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to charter schools.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222605'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 558</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=104'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Hollis, Paul(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides generally relative to the "Course Choice Program".</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222631'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 584</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=67'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Smith, Patricia(D)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to standards for virtual schools.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222643'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 596</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=68'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Carter, Steve(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to powers and duties of local school boards and superintendents.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222689'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 625</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=57'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Gaines, Randal(D)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to the process for discharging, demoting, or disciplining a permanent public school teacher.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em><br /> </em></strong></span> </p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'> </td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222707'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 643</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=56'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Miller, Greg(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides with respect to the payment of UAL and other retirement obligations from MFP to determine state-funded per pupil allocation for charter schools, course providers, and scholarship schools.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'> </td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'> </td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222708'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HB 644</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=53'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Whitney, Lenar(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to salaries for teachers and other school and school system employees.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-29-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Education</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221900'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>HCR 2</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=51'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Harrison, Joe(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Suspends provisions of law providing for the Cash Balance Plan in certain retirement systems.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>02-22-13 H Referred to House Committee on House Retirement</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221857'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>SB 7</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Peacock/'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Peacock(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides a sixty-month final average compensation period for members of state and statewide retirement systems.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>02-20-13 S Referred to Senate Committee on Senate Retirement</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221883'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>SB 11</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Guillory/'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Guillory(D)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to funding of and eligibility for post-retirement benefit increases for certain state employees and teachers.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>02-22-13 S Referred to Senate Committee on Senate Retirement</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=222247'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>SB 89</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Appel/'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Appel(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Provides relative to tenure for teachers and certain other school employees.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Opposed</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>03-27-13 S Referred to Senate Committee on Senate Education</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'> </td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'> </td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:18px'/><col style='width:92px'/><col style='width:172px'/><col style='width:283px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td> </td><td><p><a target='_new' href='https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=221907'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>SCR 1</span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'> <br /></span></p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: #666666'><colgroup><col style='width:72px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td vAlign='middle'><p><br /> </p><div><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: white'><colgroup><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/><col style='width:10px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr style='height: 12px'><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td><td vAlign='middle'><p/></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td><td><p><a target='_new' href='http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Cortez/'><span style='color:blue; font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Cortez(R)</span></a></p></td><td><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Suspends Chapter 7 of Subtitle II of Title 11 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, comprised of R.S. 1399.1 through 1399.7.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:206px'/><col style='width:424px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Position:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #efffef; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>Support</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse'><colgroup><col style='width:273px'/><col style='width:301px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px'><p style='text-align: right'><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'><strong><em>Bill History:</em></strong></span></p></td><td style='background: #dfdfdf; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-right: 5px' vAlign='middle'><p><span style='font-family:Verdana; font-size:9pt'>02-22-13 S Referred to Senate Committee on Senate Retirement</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><strong>- End of Report -</strong><br /> <table border='0' style='border-collapse:collapse; background: black'><colgroup><col style='width:450px'/></colgroup><tbody valign='top'><tr><td style='padding-top: 1px; padding-left: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-right: 1px' vAlign='middle'> </td></tr></tbody></table></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></p></span></p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-14723621112573035402012-04-02T08:22:00.002-05:002012-04-02T08:24:47.471-05:00Bobby Jindal vs. Public Education<span xmlns=""> <br /><h1><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:14;">Bobby Jindal vs. Public Education<br /></span></h1><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;"><strong>By<span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span>Diane Ravitch<span style="color:#999999;"><br /></span>on March 6, 2012 9:41 AM<br /></strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;">Dear Deborah,<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;"><strong>I went to Lafayette, La., last week to speak to the Louisiana School Boards Association</strong>. These men and women, representing their local schools from across the state, are trying to preserve public education in the face of an unprecedented onslaught by Gov. Bobby Jindal and the state's Republican-dominated legislature. Jindal has the backing of the state's corporate leaders, the nation's biggest foundations, and some powerful out-of-state supporters of privatization for his sweeping attack on public education.<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;">Gov. <a href="http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/03/gov_bobby_jindal_education_ove.html">Jindal has submitted a legislative proposal that would offer vouchers to more</a> than half the students in the state; vastly expand the number of privately managed charter schools by giving the state board of education the power to create up to 40 new charter authorizing agencies; introduce academic standards and letter grades for pre-schoolers; and end seniority and tenure for teachers.<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;">Under his plan, the local superintendent could immediately fire any teacher—tenured or not—who was rated "ineffective" by the state evaluation program. If the teacher re-applied to teach, she would have to be rated "highly effective" for five years in a row to regain tenure. Tenure, needless to say, becomes a meaningless term, since due process no longer is required for termination.<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;">The bill is as punitive as possible with respect to public education and teachers. It says nothing about helping to improve or support them. It's all about enabling students to leave public schools and creating the tools to intimidate and fire teachers. This "reform" is not conservative. I would say it is radical and reactionary. But it is in no way unique to Louisiana.<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;"><strong>Gov. Jindal is in a race to the bottom with other Republican governors to see who can move fastest to destroy the underpinnings of public education and to</strong><br /><strong>instill fear in the hearts of teachers.</strong> It's hard to say which of them is worst: Jindal, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Mitch Daniels of Indiana, Rick Scott of Florida, John Kasich of Ohio, or .... There are so many contenders for the title, it's hard to name them all. They all seem to be working from the <strong>same playbook: Remove any professionalism and sense of security from teachers; expand privatization as rapidly as possible, through charters and vouchers; intensify reliance on high-stakes tests to evaluate teachers and schools; tighten the regulations on public schools while deregulating the privately managed charter schools. Keep up the attack on many fronts, to confuse the supporters of public education.<br /></strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;">The governors appear to be working from the ALEC playbook, <strong>ALEC (or the American Legislative Exchange Council)</strong> being an organization that shapes model legislation for very conservative state legislators.<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;">Using the right coded language is a very important part of the assault on public education: <strong>Call it "reform." Say that its critics are "defenders of the status quo,"</strong> even though the status quo is 10 years of federally mandated high-stakes testing and school closings. If possible, throw mud at the defenders of public education and <strong>say that they only have "adult interests" at heart, while the pseudo-reformers—the rich and powerful—are acting only in the interests of children</strong>.<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;"><strong>Soon after I spoke, Jindal's newly selected State Superintendent John White had a conference call with reporters to challenge what I said</strong>, which was odd because he was not present and <a href="http://theadvocate.com/home/2196741-125/education-reforms-criticized.html">did not hear what I said.</a> He had <strong>no substantive response</strong><br /><strong>to my research</strong><br /><strong>review showing that charters, vouchers,</strong> and <strong>merit pay don't produce better education</strong>. He had no substantive response to my critique of the vagaries of value-added evaluation of teachers. Instead, he pointed to the New Orleans model as a paradigm of "reform," meaning, I suppose, the benefits of closing down public schools, turning the children over to private management, breaking the teachers' union, and hiring inexperienced, uncertified teachers.<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;"><strong>John White was selected by Jindal to lead the state after Jindal took control of the state board of education last fall.</strong> John White had led the New Orleans Recovery School District for only a few months when he was chosen to run the state. <strong>He is a former Teach for America teacher and a graduate of the</strong><br /><strong>Broad Superintendents Academy</strong>. Much of his time in New York City was spent closing public schools and replacing them with charter schools, the <a href="http://gothamschools.org/2011/04/06/top-doe-official-john-white-to-head-new-orleans-school-district/">so-called portfolio approach</a> (like the stock market, where you <strong>keep the winners and sell the losers</strong>). <strong>He had nothing to do with academic matters</strong>, <strong>with curriculum or instruction</strong>. So he is well-suited to what Bobby Jindal is trying to accomplish in Louisiana. By the way, it won't surprise you to learn that <a href="http://www.rsdla.net/Media/PressRelease.aspx?PR=1592">Arne Duncan applauded Jindal's appointment of White</a> as state superintendent and called White a "visionary leader." I guess, in Duncan's worldview, a "visionary leader" is someone willing to shut down public schools no matter what the parents and local community say.<br /><br /><strong>The New Orleans' "miracle" is supposed to be evidence for the value of handing public education over to private managers and uncertified teachers. But the state's own website contradicts that "miracle" narrative. The state education department rated 79 percent of the <a href="http://www.katrinaresearch.org/uploads/files/2908278/OrleansGrades.xls">charters in the Recovery School District as D or F</a>.<br /></strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;"><strong>The state also reported that the New Orleans Recovery School District was next to last in academic performance of all 72 districts in the state</strong>. It has made gains, but only in comparison to its own low base line in 2007.<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;">All this data was compiled before the Jindal takeover of the state board of education. Currently, researchers are having trouble getting any data from the state education department.<br /></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;"><strong>Why are the elites of both parties so eager to hand children and public dollars over to private corporations? Why are both parties complicit in the dismantling of public education? Why do so many Democrats at the top advocate what used to be known as the right-wing agenda for education? Is it all about campaign contributions? Why does the media let them get away with it? Why does anyone think that this will be good for our society in the short term or the long term? Why have the monied interests decided to privatize large swaths of public education? What happens to our democracy when the public sector is effectively whittled away or purchased by big money?<br /></strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:9;"><strong>Diane<br /></strong></span></p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-30645438573757606242012-03-28T18:29:00.003-05:002012-03-28T18:34:30.048-05:00LAE Calls For Mass Protest At The Capitol!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0hZ5URxm6pBM1LmbHTAoOZ4jjTSSrpYFPVxFn6NRFHzrF3FDJpWTC1VQGYco1TZUQjIcrR_vUd-g7YemG6Y_oqVqhIp6zKQ_VDW3yty_IY-TOgNWI5ATVTgU4mnkW1sT2onfd5szbjo/s1600/Judgment+Day+Rally+-+April+4%252C+2012.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725094962559951106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0hZ5URxm6pBM1LmbHTAoOZ4jjTSSrpYFPVxFn6NRFHzrF3FDJpWTC1VQGYco1TZUQjIcrR_vUd-g7YemG6Y_oqVqhIp6zKQ_VDW3yty_IY-TOgNWI5ATVTgU4mnkW1sT2onfd5szbjo/s400/Judgment+Day+Rally+-+April+4%252C+2012.png" /></a> <span xmlns=""><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:20;">Governor Bobby Jindal </span><span style="font-size:16;">is selling out</span><span style="font-size:18;"><br /></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:20;">kids and our neighborhood schools </span><span style="font-size:16;">in an effort to </span><span style="font-size:20;">satisfy his own political agenda </span><span style="font-size:16;">with a plan that would</span><span style="font-size:18;">: </span></span><br /><br /></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"></span> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:18;">Remove and reassign thousands of dedicated and<br /></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:18;">effective educators from the classroom. </span><br /></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"></span> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:18;">Judge caring and committed teachers using flawed methods of evaluation. </span><br /><br /></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"></span> <span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:18;">Rob local funds from our neighborhood schools, </span><span style="font-size:12;"><br /></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:18;">placing them in the hands of private interests.</span><span style="font-size:12;"> </span></span><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:32;"><strong>Our children deserve better! </strong></span><br /><br /></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">Join the LAE and other stakeholders<br /></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">As we stand up in protest for students and public education on </span><span style="font-family:Rockwell Extra Bold;color:#d50720;"><strong><span style="font-size:26;">Wednesday, April 4</span><span style="font-size:17;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="font-size:26;">, 2012</span></strong><span style="font-size:20;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:16;">on the </span><span style="font-size:22;"><br /></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Rockwell Extra Bold;font-size:26;color:#d50720;"><strong>Steps of the Louisiana State Capitol </strong></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:16;">in</span><span style="font-size:26;color:#d50720;"><strong><span style="font-family:Rockwell Extra Bold;"> Baton Rouge</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></strong></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:16;">at</span><span style="font-size:20;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Rockwell Extra Bold;font-size:26;color:#d50720;"><strong>9 AM </strong></span><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:22;">Go to <a href="http://www.lae.org/">http://www.lae.org/</a> for more information.</span><span style="font-size:24;"> </span></span><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><em><span style="font-size:16;">Paid for by the Louisiana Fund for Children & Public Education.</span><span style="font-size:10;"><br /></span></em></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /></span></p></span></div>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-79033799170942309502012-03-26T14:35:00.001-05:002012-03-26T14:35:25.722-05:00A Rush to Judgment Will Harm Louisiana Education<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-size:16pt'><strong>A Rush to Judgment Will Harm Louisiana Education<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The decision by the Louisiana Governor and House Leadership concerning House Bills 974 and 976 is a rush to judgment designed specifically to hide the multiple problems found in the bills. The Governor and his supporters should know that there is both a lack of research in favor of much he has proposed and specific research that would refute much of what he wants. There is and should be a wide debate about the cost of these proposals and the lack of accountability involved. In addition, there is a clear desire to insure that many of the educators in this state are not heard.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>If teachers, administrators and other educators show up there will be a cry that they have abandoned their students during leap testing week when the truth is, there is no reason that the house bills could not be studied and debated in a more professional fashion. It is the Governor and House Leadership who are participating in "abandonment" and they are harming our children and educators.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Many groups and organizations throughout the state have encouraged greater study and debate to more adequately evaluate the multiple bills crowded into these two pieces of legislation however, The Governor is not about to allow a fair and engaged discussion.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Each of you, those in favor and those who have concerns about the bills, should encourage a wider ranging, more professional debate and process… Isn't that what legislators are supposed to do?<br /></span></p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-8306453791184477842012-03-05T08:24:00.001-06:002012-03-05T08:24:12.514-06:00Teachers make lasting impressions<span xmlns=''><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Helvetica'><strong><em>Monroe News Star</em>, editorial<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:10pt'>February 2, 2012<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:22pt'><strong>Teachers make lasting impressions<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Helvetica'><span style='color:#666666; font-size:8pt'>11:36 PM, </span><span style='font-size:10pt'><strong>Feb. 2, 2012 <br /></strong></span></span></p><ul><li><a href='http://www.thenewsstar.com/section/OPINION'><span style='font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'><strong>Opinion</strong></span></a><span style='font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'><strong><br /> </strong></span></li><li><div><a href='http://topics.thenewsstar.com/Monroe/'><span style='font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>Monroe</span></a><span style='font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'><br /> </span></div><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>Teaching political science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe is rewarding; however, the central reward of teaching is the opportunity to pass forward to others the contributions teachers made to my life.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>Ms. Reynolds prepared me for high school by teaching grammar and note-taking. Much of my knowledge about Greek mythology and the Renaissance came from her. Ms. Kimrey made me read Victorian poetry and Romantic literature. Much of my knowledge about symbolism, metaphors and analogies came from her.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>Ms. Gronberg had me read To Kill a Mockingbird, My Name is Asher Lev, The Outsiders, Catcher in the Rye and the Autobiography of Malcolm X. Much of my knowledge about the liberating power of searching for an identity came from her.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>Mr. Arrington eschewed regurgitating a litany of facts. Much of my knowledge about structures, processes, and systems in the context of economics, history and political science came from him.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>I would like to finally and publicly thank these tenured, unionized, public school teachers. None of them gave me a standardized test; none of them were evaluated by standardized tests.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>Alas, Ms. Kimrey, Ms. Gronberg, Ms. Reynolds, and Mr. Arrington (and countless others) are under attack. We claim to acknowledge the importance of education, but we assault, condemn, and undercut those who have devoted their entire lives to education. It makes no sense to me whatsoever.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>The current critique of Louisiana education has two components: first, teachers are a protected class, insulated from accountability by strong unions and tenure; and second, the public school system is fatally flawed and must be abandoned in favor of private enterprise.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>If teachers are indeed lazy incompetents, then how can we change that situation? Judging from the rhetoric and behavior of our politicians, apparently we should cut teacher pay, reduce job security, and belittle them. Personally, I think that's crazy. If teaching were an easy profession, then roughly half of those who enter the field wouldn't leave after five years.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>(Page 2 of 2)<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>Wisconsin has strong unions and tenure protection; Georgia has no unions and relaxed tenure. Wisconsin students rank second nationally in college preparatory scores, while Georgia falls historically at the bottom of such rankings. Confronted by such evidence, conservatives rush to point out flaws in this comparison. They say social, economic, historical, and cultural differences explain the achievement gap. My response? Exactly.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>Let's take a look at the assault on public education. In the <strong><em>Death and Life of the Great American School System</em></strong>, <strong>Diane Ravicth</strong> points out <span style='background-color:yellow'>numerous studies showing private schools and charter schools do not significantly outperform public schools</span>. Additionally, <span style='background-color:yellow'>nations outperforming the United States have managed to produce a superior product using publicly funded, publicly managed schools</span>. They have <span style='background-color:yellow'>neither abandoned public education nor privatized it.</span> And, there are those pesky facts — less than 1 percent of all public school students have used vouchers when offered vouchers. <strong>School choice, in the form of vouchers and charter schools, has not significantly solved our education problems.<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>I know there are bad teachers, just as there are bad businessmen, bankers, police officers and politicians. That's life; that's reality. I'm not here to defend bad teachers.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'>In fact, no one wants to protect bad teachers and keep them on the payroll. Equally, I'm not here to defend bad public schools; there are certainly a lot of things our public schools need to do better. Nevertheless, the hysteria that has built up around this notion that teachers are the villains and all public schools are failing is remarkable.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'><strong>Diane Ravitch writes, "The fundamentals of good education are to be found in the classroom, the home, the community, and the culture, but reformers in our time continue to look for shortcuts and quick answers." Huge educational improvements will not occur in Louisiana if don't stop looking for shortcuts. Do any of our proposed reforms address the community, culture, or the home? <br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'><strong>My response? Exactly.<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='color:#2c2c2c; font-family:Helvetica; font-size:12pt'><strong>Joshua Stockley</strong> is a <span style='text-decoration:underline'>professor of political science at ULM</span>.<br /></span></p></li></ul></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-19020908115250902872012-02-28T20:51:00.001-06:002012-02-28T20:51:09.476-06:00LAE's 2012 Education Reforum!<span xmlns=''><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt'><br /> </span></p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:16pt'>You are invited to attend LAE's 2012 Education Reforum! Please make plans to join us for this important meeting in order to learn more about the most pressing issues facing Louisiana public school educators in 2012 and beyond. </span> <span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><br /> </span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:24pt; text-decoration:underline'><strong>major issues</strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center; margin-left: 18pt'><span style='font-size:20pt'><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'><strong>teacher evaluations</strong></span></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center; margin-left: 18pt'><span style='font-size:20pt'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic'> </span><strong><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>tenure</span></strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center; margin-left: 18pt'><span style='font-size:20pt'><strong><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>school funding </span></strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center; margin-left: 18pt'><span style='font-size:20pt'><strong><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>privatization </span></strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:20pt'><strong><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>retirement<br /></span></strong></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:18pt'> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'><strong><em>Be sure to mark your calendars </em></strong></span></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><em><br /> </em></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:18pt'><strong><em> to join us on the following date:<br /></em></strong></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:22pt; text-decoration:underline'><strong>February 29, 2012<br /></strong></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:18pt'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>Where: Drury Inn & Suites - 7939 Essen Park, Baton Rouge</span><br /> </span></p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:18pt'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>Time: 5 PM - Registration, 5:30 - 7 PM - Presentation</span><br /> </span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:20pt'><strong>who should attend? </strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:18pt'>teachers, support staff, </span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:18pt'>building reps, union leaders... </span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:16pt'>anyone interested in improving the teaching profession!<br /></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='color:black'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:16pt'>It's time to get activated and involved with the association as we face the fight of our professional lives! </span><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:10pt'><br /> </span></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial; font-size:10pt'> </span><span style='color:#11a0ef; font-family:Arial; font-size:22pt'><strong>ASSESS. ASSEMBLE . ACTIVATE .</strong></span><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial; font-size:10pt'><br /> </span></p><p> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:22pt'><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial'>for more information Go to <a target='_blank' href='http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=nslvwohab&et=1109287692289&s=8360&e=001sda3_9hb58eOyHWs2NHWp2V9uV5SxCaYTUKkJBCPuYiKerAswTpHvbJle8YF9HMHZ0MCpi2Mh1ugzp3FFlmGQ1-HYn-dqtczgXgURApggjI='/></span><span style='font-family:Arial'>WWW.LAE.ORG<span style='color:black'> </span></span><span style='font-family:Arial'><br /> </span></span></p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:22pt'><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial'>To Pre-register email <a href='mailto:aurelia.young@lae.org'/></span><span style='font-family:Arial'><strong>aurelia.young@lae.org</strong></span><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial'> <br /></span></span></p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-85741122009593907202012-02-28T18:43:00.001-06:002012-02-28T18:43:33.167-06:00LAE's 2012 Education Reforums!<span xmlns=''><p style='text-align: center'><img alt='' src='cid:image003.jpg@01CCF61B.B7950B90'/><span style='font-family:Comic Sans MS; font-size:14pt'><br /> </span></p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:16pt'>You are invited to attend LAE's 2012 Education Reforums! Please make plans to join us for these important meetings in order to learn more about the most pressing issues facing Louisiana public school educators in 2012 and beyond. </span> <span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><br /> </span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:24pt; text-decoration:underline'><strong>major issues</strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center; margin-left: 18pt'><span style='font-size:20pt'><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'><strong>teacher evaluations</strong></span></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center; margin-left: 18pt'><span style='font-size:20pt'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic'> </span><strong><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>tenure</span></strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center; margin-left: 18pt'><span style='font-size:20pt'><strong><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>school funding </span></strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center; margin-left: 18pt'><span style='font-size:20pt'><strong><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>privatization </span></strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:20pt'><strong><span style='font-family:Symbol'></span> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>retirement<br /></span></strong></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:18pt'> <span style='font-family:Century Gothic'><strong>Be sure to mark your calendars </strong></span></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><br /> </span></p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:18pt'><strong> to join us on the following date:<br /></strong></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:18pt'><strong><span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>Houma: </span><span style='font-family:Arial; text-decoration:underline'>March 5th</span></strong><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> </span></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:18pt'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic'>Where: Terrebonne Parish Library - Main Library - 151 Library Drive, Houma<br/>Time: 5 PM - Registration, 5:30 - 7 PM - Presentation</span><br /> </span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:20pt'><strong>who should attend? </strong></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:18pt'>teachers, support staff, </span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:18pt'>building reps, union leaders... </span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:16pt'>anyone interested in improving the teaching profession!<br /></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='color:black'><span style='font-family:Century Gothic; font-size:16pt'>It's time to get activated and involved with the association as we face the fight of our professional lives! </span><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:10pt'><br /> </span></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial; font-size:10pt'> </span><span style='color:#11a0ef; font-family:Arial; font-size:22pt'><strong>ASSESS. ASSEMBLE . ACTIVATE .</strong></span><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial; font-size:10pt'><br /> </span></p><p> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:22pt'><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial'>for more information Go to <a target='_blank' href='http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=nslvwohab&et=1109287692289&s=8360&e=001sda3_9hb58eOyHWs2NHWp2V9uV5SxCaYTUKkJBCPuYiKerAswTpHvbJle8YF9HMHZ0MCpi2Mh1ugzp3FFlmGQ1-HYn-dqtczgXgURApggjI='/></span><span style='font-family:Arial'>WWW.LAE.ORG<span style='color:black'> </span></span><span style='font-family:Arial'><br /> </span></span></p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:22pt'><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial'>To Pre-register email <a href='mailto:aurelia.young@lae.org'/></span><span style='font-family:Arial'><strong>aurelia.young@lae.org</strong></span><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial'> <br /></span></span></p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-25708843399015943252011-10-08T14:36:00.001-05:002011-10-08T14:36:24.808-05:00The LAE Fund for Children & Public Education Endorses Tara Hollis for Governor<span xmlns=''><p style='text-align: center'><img alt='' src='image004.jpg'/><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong><br /> </strong></span></p><p><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-size:14pt'><strong>The LAE Fund for Children & Public Education Endorses Tara Hollis for Governor <br /></strong></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><em><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Hollis' Extensive Knowledge and Experience as a Public School Educator Places Her Ahead In Candidate Screening Process</span><br /> </em></p><p style='text-align: justify'><br /> </p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>BATON ROUGE, LA</strong><br /> <span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>– October 8, 2011 – The LAE Fund for Children & Public Education (LAE-FCPE) – the political action committee for the Louisiana Association of Educators – has endorsed Tara Hollis for Governor of Louisiana. <br /></span></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>The decision to endorse Hollis was made by a screening committee made up of LAE local presidents and executive committee members from across the state. The committee interviewed four of the 10 candidates - Ron Ceasar, Tara Hollis, 'Niki Bird' Papazoglakis, Ivo 'Trey' Roberts - who are vying for the state's top office.<br /></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>The Fund for Children & Public Education interview team ultimately decided to recommend Hollis for the position. Her extensive knowledge and experience as a public school educator placed her ahead during the candidate screening process. LAE-FCPE Chairperson Joyce Haynes praised the committee on their decision.<br /></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"This is an extremely important election and members of the LAE-FCPE took this process very seriously," said Haynes. "The future of Louisiana relies on the policies enacted by the individual who is elected to this position. We feel as though Mrs. Hollis is a true supporter of public education and is someone who will to make the children of Louisiana her first priority."<br /></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Each candidate went through an extensive screening process where they were asked to answer a questionnaire exploring their views on teacher accountability, charter schools, teachers' retirement and state funding. The candidates then met with members of the LAE-FCPE, where they were given an opportunity to elaborate on their questionnaire answers, as well as their campaign platforms. <br /></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"We appreciate the initiative that these men and women are taking by running for this very important office," said Haynes. "We chose the individual whose platform was most in line with our values as educators."<br /></span></p><p style='text-align: justify'><span style='color:black; font-family:Times New Roman'>The 2011 gubernatorial primary is set for October 22<sup>nd</sup>. We hope that Ms. Hollis will be able to win enough votes to effectuate a runoff - which is scheduled for November 19<sup>th</sup>. <br /></span></p><p style='text-align: center'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><span style='color:black'>For more information visit <a href='http://www.lae.org/'/></span>www.lae.org<span style='color:black'>. For contact with Joyce Haynes, LAE-FCPE chairperson please call or email Ashley Davis at <a href='mailto:ashley.davis@lae.org'/></span>ashley.davis@lae.org<span style='color:black'>.</span></span><br /> </p><p style='text-align: center'> <br /> </p><p><br /> </p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-62716761980323155802011-10-07T08:13:00.000-05:002011-10-07T08:13:07.074-05:00LSUnited member and professor Wilfred Major talks about Faculty Senate resolution - The Daily Reveille - Louisiana State University<a href="http://www.lsureveille.com/lsunited-member-and-professor-wilfred-major-talks-about-faculty-senate-resolution-1.2638562#.To76zqSzKxo.blogger">LSUnited member and professor Wilfred Major talks about Faculty Senate resolution - The Daily Reveille - Louisiana State University</a>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-39662046014295634202011-10-06T13:08:00.001-05:002011-10-06T13:08:26.270-05:00Jindal declines debate invitation<span xmlns=''><h1><span style='font-size:20pt'>Jindal declines debate invitation <br /></span></h1><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Michelle Millhollon<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Advocate capitol news bureau<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Gov. Bobby Jindal won't participate in a candidate forum hosted by a teachers' union that recently opposed one of his key education initiatives. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Ashley Davis, spokeswoman for the Louisiana Association of Educators, said Wednesday that the nine other candidates in the governor's race have agreed to participate in the debate. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>The debate, which will focus on education and revenue, is scheduled for 7 p.m. wednesday at the Bo Campbell Auditorium in the Cox Communications Academic Center on the LSU campus. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Jindal referenced past disputes with the Louisiana Association of Educators when asked about the debate at a news conference on school scores. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>The LAE represents about 20,000 teachers and other school personnel.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>"It doesn't surprise folks I don't always agree with the LAE," the governor said Wednesday afternoon. "I don't think they've ever endorsed me any time I've run. That's OK — still happy to sit down and talk with them."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>The LAE is critical of a Jindal-backed law that will link annual teacher evaluations in part to student achievement.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Timmy Teepell, the governor's campaign advisor, said the debate will not have a wide enough audience to warrant the governor's participation. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>"Yep, we declined. Because it is not televised statewide, the people of Louisiana won't see it," Teepell wrote in an email.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Teepell recently expressed disappointment through Twitter that WWL-TV in New Orleans is not holding a gubernatorial debate. He said earlier that he encouraged WWL-TV to allow the governor to debate a field of little-known candidates. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Nine people are running against the governor in the Oct. 22 primary: Democrats Cary Deaton, Tara Hollis, "Niki Bird" Papazoglakis and Ivo "Trey" Roberts, Libertarians Scott Lewis and David Blanchard, Leonard "Lenny" Bollingham, Ron Ceasar and William Robert "Bob" Lang, who do not have a party affiliation. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>None is well-financed or well-known, giving the governor little opposition to his re-election bid. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>The LAE debate may be the only one in the governor's race.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Jindal said Wednesday afternoon at his news conference that Teepell had not seen the LAE's invitation. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>"We'll be happy to look at the invitation," the governor said.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Davis said after the news conference that Jindal's executive assistant, Kelley McCormick, had already declined on the governor's behalf.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>The governor's press secretary, Kyle Plotkin, blamed the confusion on the LAE approaching Jindal's state office, rather than his campaign office. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Papazoglakis said Jindal does not want to defend a record that includes opposing a cigarette tax increase and supporting college tuition hikes. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>"His performance has been atrocious. The numbers speak for themselves," she said.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Papazoglakis said she still will participate to let voters know there are other choices.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>"He's cowardly," Deaton said.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>He said Jindal is backpedaling on agreeing to debate even minor candidates in the governor's race.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'>Deaton said a Houma television station wanted to host a debate but nixed the idea after speaking to the governor's staff.<br /></span></p></span>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-34084663552851966502011-10-05T08:16:00.001-05:002011-10-05T08:22:22.052-05:00Members of the Louisiana Association of Educators’ Political Action Committee Interview Gubernatorial Hopefuls<em><strong>Committee Meets with Four of the 10 Candidates Vying for Louisiana’s Top Leadership Position<br /></strong><br /></em>BATON ROUGE, LA– October 3, 2011 – Members of the Louisiana Association of Educators’ political action committee – the LAE Fund for Children & Public Education (LAE-FCPE) – met over the weekend to interview the contenders vying for Louisiana’s top office. Of those running, LAE-FCPE members met with Ron Ceasar of Opelousas, Tara Hollis of Haynesville, Androniki “Niki Bird” Papazoglakis of Baton Rouge, and Ivo “Trey” Roberts of Gretna.<br /><br />“This is an extremely important election and members of our political action committee are taking this process very seriously,” said LAE-FCPE Chairperson Joyce Haynes. “The future of Louisiana relies on the decisions made and the policies enacted by the individual who is elected to this position. We would really like to see someone who is a supporter of public education – someone who is going to make the children of Louisiana a priority.”<br /><br />Each candidate went through an extensive screening process where they were asked to answer a questionnaire exploring their views on such issues as teacher accountability, charter schools, teachers’ retirement, privatization and state funding. The candidates then met with nearly 20 members of the LAE-FCPE, where they were given an opportunity to elaborate on their questionnaire answers, as well as their campaign platforms. Committee members reviewed each candidate and will soon make a recommendation to the full LAE-FCPE. The decision to endorse is forthcoming.<br /><br />“The candidates we met with interviewed well and we appreciate the initiative that each is taking by running for this very important office,” said Haynes. “If we do decide to endorse, we will go with the individual whose platform is most in line with our values as educators.”<br /><br />The 2011 gubernatorial primaries will take place on October 22nd. If needed, a runoff is scheduled for November 19th.<br /><br />For more information visit www.lae.org or contact Ashley Davis at ashley.davis@lae.org.<br />###Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-14583534310481052882011-10-05T07:41:00.002-05:002011-10-05T07:53:24.822-05:00Gubernatorial Debates<div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">The Louisiana Association of Educators in conjunction with several education and community organizations<br /><br /><em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Invites you to attend the<br /></span></strong></em></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Gubernatorial Debates</strong><br /></span></span><span style="color:#000000;">Hosted by Louisiana Education Stakeholders<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Wednesday, October 12, 2011<br />7:00 to 9:30 p.m.<br /><br />Cox Communications Academic Center<br />On the LSU Campus<br /></span>http://www.acsa.lsu.edu/<br /><br />These debates will be covered by the major electronic and print media in the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area and will be co-sponsored by numerous organizations including the following:<br /><br />• Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE)<br />• Coalition for Louisiana Public Education (The Coalition)<br />• Louisiana School Board Association (LSBA)<br />• American Association of University Personnel (AAUP)<br />• American Association of University Women (AAUW)<br />• Louisiana State University Faculty Senate<br />• LSUnited<br /><br />All candidates for the office of governor have been invited to participate.<br />For more details on this event, please contact either:<br /><br />Dr. Michael Walker-Jones, Executive Director, at 225-343-4243 or mwalkerjones@lae.org<br />Ms. Ashley Davis, LAE Communications Specialist, at 225-343-4243 or Ashley.davis@lae.org </span></div>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-1603830394204328562011-09-11T21:28:00.001-05:002011-09-11T21:29:45.960-05:00Conference Call with Vice President BidenFollowing President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress, Vice President Biden would like educators to join him for a conference call on Monday, September 12 to discuss the Administration’s commitment to preventing educator layoffs. <br /> <br />Please encourage all NEA members to take part in this important conversation and share this call-in information with your colleagues. Please distribute this information far and wide.<br /> <br /> <br /><strong>Date of Call: Monday, September 12, 2011<br />Start Time: 5:00PM Eastern (please plan to dial in 5-7 minutes early)<br />Call Number: (800) 260-0719<br />Participant Access Code: 216646<br />NOTE: This call is closed to press.</strong> <br /> <br />About the American Jobs Act & Teachers: As many as 280,000 education jobs are on the chopping block in the upcoming school year due to continued state budget constraints. These cuts could have a significant impact on children’s education, through the reduction of school days, increased class size, and the elimination of key classes and services. The President’s plan will support state and local efforts to retain, rehire, and hire early childhood, elementary, and secondary educators (including teachers, guidance counselors, classroom assistants, afterschool personnel, tutors, and literacy and math coaches). These efforts will help ensure that schools are able to keep teachers in the classroom, preserve or extend the regular school day and school year, and also support important after-school activities. To watch the President’s speech or to find out more, click here: <br /> <br />http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/08/american-jobs-act <br /> <br />http://www.educationvotes.nea.org/2011/09/08/obama-jobs-program-would-boost-education/Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-1509560256293966782011-02-09T13:28:00.003-06:002011-02-09T13:34:51.992-06:00What Do You Think?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAogBzdtX2f9UQSxDH3S7aM_2yLQTlIwFT05t3b5TWbp84LWOC4JE8FOqSYx2_NkVCdoDxjzvKoCEPK53oloyKEjUTxxdVx2gACw9SMBXQZiizM2qYk6o5eWalq7dVMI86uWKGjWc8c0U/s1600/nytlogo152x23.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 23px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAogBzdtX2f9UQSxDH3S7aM_2yLQTlIwFT05t3b5TWbp84LWOC4JE8FOqSYx2_NkVCdoDxjzvKoCEPK53oloyKEjUTxxdVx2gACw9SMBXQZiizM2qYk6o5eWalq7dVMI86uWKGjWc8c0U/s400/nytlogo152x23.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571775228430376946" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Teachers’ Colleges Upset by Plan to Grade Them</strong><br />By TRIP GABRIEL<br />Published: February 8, 2011<br /><br />Grades are the currency of education — teachers give them to students, administrators grade teachers and states often assign grades to schools. <br /> <br />Now U.S. News & World Report is planning to give A through F grades to more than 1,000 teachers’ colleges, and many of the schools are unhappy, marching to the principal’s office to complain the system is unfair. <br /><br />Numerous education school deans have protested that the ratings program’s methodology is flawed since the program was announced last month. In a letter last week, officials from 35 leading education colleges and graduate schools — including Columbia, Harvard, Michigan State and Vanderbilt — denounced an “implied coercion” if they do not cooperate with the ratings. <br /><br />U.S. News and its partner in the ratings, the National Council on Teacher Quality, an independent advocacy group, originally told schools that if they did not voluntarily supply data and documents, the teacher quality group would seek the information under open-records laws. If that did not work, the raters planned to give the schools an F. <br /><br />That got the attention of educators. <br /><br />Brian Kelly, the editor of U.S. News, said the push-back from education schools was evidence of “an industry that doesn’t want to be examined.” <br /><br />“These teacher-education programs are hugely important and not very well scrutinized,” Mr. Kelly added. “This is coming at a time when you have this tremendous national push for improvements in teacher quality: Who’s teaching the teachers?” <br /><br />But in response to the criticism and to many schools’ refusal so far to cooperate, Mr. Kelly rescinded the plan to flunk schools for which data could not be obtained. <br /><br />“We regret that language,” he said Tuesday. “It’s really not the way we want to be doing business.” <br /><br />Education schools have faced criticism frequently over the years. They are faulted by a recent wave of education advocates as emphasizing education theory over hands-on classroom training, and as graduating teachers with weak academic skills. <br /><br />The federal education secretary, Arne Duncan, has said that many, if not most, teacher-training programs are mediocre. “It is time to start holding teacher-preparation programs more accountable for the impact of their graduates on student learning,” Mr. Duncan said in a speech in November. <br /><br />Kate Walsh, the president of the National Council on Teacher Quality, said that school principals were “deeply dissatisfied with the quality of candidates coming through their doors.” Ms. Walsh said that rating education schools would be valuable in teacher recruitment. <br /><br />The project, which will cost $3.6 million and be completed next year, is being underwritten by education foundations including the Carnegie Corporation and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation. <br /><br />The education deans who have voiced objections do not echo the familiar complaint of college presidents about U.S. News rankings — that they have turned undergraduate admissions into an arms race. <br /><br />Rather, the deans object that the teacher quality council’s methods for arriving at ratings are not transparent enough and are not supported by research. To arrive at its ratings, for example, the group has requested detailed information about courses, textbooks and admissions selectivity. <br /><br />“Nobody’s against being evaluated or having good reliable information available to the public about how we can prepare better teachers,” said Mary Brabeck, dean of New York University’s school of education. “But what will we know if everybody uses the same textbook? What will that tell us about how you prepare highly effective teachers?” <br /><br />Sharon P. Robinson, president of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, said the ratings were focusing on superficial “inputs” rather than “outcomes,” like how well teacher graduates perform in the classroom. <br /><br />“We have serious skepticism that their methodology will produce enough evidence to support the inferences they will make,” said Dr. Robinson, who has advised her 800 member schools that the U.S. News project is “not worthy of your involvement.” <br /><br />Ada Beth Cutler, dean of the education college of Montclair State University, said she would not cooperate, based on her earlier negative experience with a National Council of Teacher Quality survey. That convinced her that the group “has little interest in making responsible and evidence-based judgments,” Dr. Cutler said. <br /><br />“There are a significant number of teacher-preparation programs in the country doing an outstanding job,” she added. “A large number are doing an O.K. job, and a smaller number ought to be shut down. But given the current climate, which is extremely critical of university-based teacher preparation, it would be terrible to put out results that are not valid and reliable and based on un-vetted criteria.” <br /><br />Ms. Walsh, whose group was founded “to provide an alternative national voice to existing teacher organizations,” according to its Web site, said that short of sitting in on a college’s classes for a year, her evaluation methods are sound. <br /><br />She called the colleges’ critique of her focus on course content “a bit of a red herring.” <br /><br />“What they want us to do is hold off until a perfect assessment is in place,” Ms. Walsh said. <br /><br />In response to the criticism, her group has scheduled a Webinar on Wednesday to explain its methodology, for which 450 educators are signed up. <br /><br />The ratings system, which will employ 17 standards, was field-tested in smaller studies the teacher quality group did in Texas and Illinois. <br /><br />The Illinois ratings, which gave high marks to only a handful of 53 schools in the state, were criticized on release last year even by some schools that earned good grades. <br /><br />An alliance of organizations representing education schools said in a statement at the time that grading them based on textbooks and course descriptions was like “evaluating the quality of restaurants by only requesting that menus be mailed to the evaluator — without sampling the food or visiting the site.” <br /><br />Penelope L. Peterson, dean of the education school at Northwestern, whose school got an A minus, the highest grade in the state, said she would participate in the national ratings, despite some misgivings. <br /><br />Dr. Peterson learned last year that it was better to ensure that Ms. Walsh’s group got the information it sought than to have it rely on what is publicly available on a Web site. Had Northwestern not provided extra information, Dr. Peterson said, it would have received a zero on four of the evaluation standards. <br /><br />But Deborah Curtis, dean of the education college at Illinois State University, took away the opposite lesson from her efforts to communicate directly with Ms. Walsh’s research staff. <br /><br />“They did not want facts,” Dr. Curtis said. “They had their own preconceived notions.” She said the teacher quality group, whose advisory board includes advocates for charter schools and alternative-teacher training programs like Teach for America, is biased against traditional teacher colleges. <br /><br />It did not listen to Illinois State’s efforts to clarify its data, Dr. Curtis said, and so the education school, the largest in state with 5,000 students, stopped cooperating. <br /><br />Its grade was an F. <br /><br />A version of this article appeared in print on February 9, 2011, on page A16 of the New York edition..Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-86242700712800659532011-02-07T19:35:00.002-06:002011-02-07T19:57:41.250-06:00LAE BARGAINING TRAINING<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVnQw_cFZzHemB5_RloMH-uKJveJ7eU02901lDmIZc5fUPb56xmdh5zgVv9qlao_mQ30Ha5NXN8yWK1dSiut1T6BHkUhApzbn1upxYu5RMpuk6WsWGiNW1vMY2rCyxufDE_8Udak7aoQ/s1600/shake-hands-t11321.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVnQw_cFZzHemB5_RloMH-uKJveJ7eU02901lDmIZc5fUPb56xmdh5zgVv9qlao_mQ30Ha5NXN8yWK1dSiut1T6BHkUhApzbn1upxYu5RMpuk6WsWGiNW1vMY2rCyxufDE_8Udak7aoQ/s400/shake-hands-t11321.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571131933986656354" /></a><br /><br /><strong>INTRODUCTION TO BARGAINING</strong><br /><br />A la Louisiane <br /><br />February 11-12, 2011<br /><br />Baton Rouge, Louisiana<br /><br /> <br /><br />Friday Night Dinner: 7:00 – 9:00 pm<br /><br />Ralph & Kacoo’s <br /><br />6110 Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA<br /><br /> <br /><br />Saturday: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm<br /><br />LAE Office <br /><br />8322 One Calais Avenue<br /><br />Baton Rouge, LA 70809<br /><br /> <br /><br /><strong>If you plan to attend, please RSVP directly to me via email: aurelia.young@lae.org</strong>Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-10243230379261745802011-02-07T18:42:00.000-06:002011-02-07T18:44:00.342-06:002011 LAE LEGISLATIVE/MEMBERSHIP REGIONAL CONFERENCE<strong>MARK YOUR CALENDAR TO ATTEND THE 2011 LAE LEGISLATIVE/MEMBERSHIP REGIONAL CONFERENCE</strong><br /><br />Join us at our Regional Conference to be held on March 29, 2011, at the Marriott, 5500 Hilton Ave, Baton Rouge, Louisiana , from 5:10 p.m.-7:00 p.m.<br /><br /><br />We need you to attend this conference and hear President Haynes address the major issues affecting public education (Funding & Retirement).<br /><br /><br />Learn how it is more important than ever to belong to LAE, the only organization fighting to preserve public education.<br /><br /><br />Space is limited. RSVP by March 4, 2011, by calling 800-256-4523, ext. 105Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-68962704183260324432011-02-06T07:54:00.003-06:002011-02-06T08:00:54.505-06:00Important LAE Dates to Remember<strong>Dates to Remember</strong><br /><br />Southeast Regional Conference: Feb. 4th – 6th; <br /><br />LAE Board meeting: Feb. 18th – 19th; <br /><br />Read Across Louisiana: Feb. 26th; <br /><br />Annual ESP Conference: March 11th – 13th; <br /><br />National Black Issues Conference: March 25th– 27th<br /><br /><strong>2011 NEA Higher Education Conference </strong><br />Friday, March 25, 2011 8:00 AM - Sunday, March 27, 2011 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)<br />The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers<br />50 Park Plaza at Arlington Street<br />Boston, Massachusetts 02116Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-82386338465106778332011-02-06T07:51:00.000-06:002011-02-06T07:52:45.039-06:00READ ACROSS LOUISIANA 2011<strong>Read Across Louisiana 2011</strong><br /><br />Don’t forget to mark your calendar for READ ACROSS LOUISIANA 2011. On Saturday, February 26th LAE and Louisiana Public Broadcasting are set to host a fun-filled day of reading, educational activities and giveaways. Be sure to check out the celebrations happening in your area on the 26th. So far we’ve confirmed the following location hosts: The Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, The Prien Lake Mall in Lake Charles, The Mall of Acadiana in Lafayette, The Boardwalk in Bossier City, The Alexandria Mall in Alexandria and The Pecanland Mall in Monroe.Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-62615147835379901372011-02-06T07:39:00.001-06:002011-02-06T07:42:27.307-06:00NEA BLACK CAUCUSNEA BLACK CAUCUS<br /><br />The Black Issues Conference has been scheduled for March 25 – 27, 2011 in <strong>Baton Rouge, Louisiana</strong>. We are working to plan an informative and exciting conference for you. Look for details in the near future. A registration form is attached and will be available online at <strong>www.neablackcaucus.com.</strong> Please print it out, complete it legibly and mail to Gary Melton, Treasurer. Please register early. If you miss it, you’ll miss a treat!!!!Aurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060135611289412553.post-60201538144647922692011-02-06T07:32:00.001-06:002011-02-06T07:34:26.257-06:00NEA Black Caucus<strong>NEA BLACK CAUCUS</strong><br /><br />ANNUAL BLACK ISSUES CONFERENCE<br />March 25-27, 2011<br />Drury Inn & Suites Baton Rouge<br />7939 Essen Park<br />Baton Rouge, LA 70809-7438<br />Ph: 225.766.2022 or 800.378.7946 <br /><br />Please mail registration form and check or money order payable to NEA Black Caucus to:<br />Gary Melton, NEA Black Caucus Treasurer<br />2412 Lahn Lane<br />Mays Landing, NJ 08330<br />Phone: 609.742.0795<br />Fax: 609.343.7408 <br />Conference Attendee Registration:<br />Name: ________________________________________________________________________<br />Region: _______________________________________________________________________<br />Address: ______________________________________________________________________<br />City: _________________________________________State: _______________Zip:_________<br />E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________<br /><br />Conference Fees: NEA BLACK CAUCUS MEMBERS: $130.00; NON-MEMBERS & GUESTS: $150.00<br />LATE REGISTRATION FEE: $175.00 CONFERENCE DEADLINE FEB. 24, 2011<br />Please enclose check or money order payable to: NEA Black Caucus. A fee will be charged for returned checks.<br /><br />You may call the hotel our use the following link to reserve your hotel room:<br />www.druryhotels.com click on Book It Fast then enter group number 2107078. <br />(Room rates per night: DOUBLE - $80.00 KING - $90.00)<br /><br /><br /><br />Booth/Vendor Registration: Please send the following registration form and check or money order to the address above.<br />Name: ________________________________________________________________________<br />Company: _____________________________________________________________________<br />Address: ______________________________________________________________________<br />City: ________________________________________State: ______________Zip: ___________<br />E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________<br />Vendor Fees: $100.00 per table on or before Feb. 24, 2011; $150.00 per table after deadline. <br /><br />This form is available on our website: www.neablackcaucus.comAurelia Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06991279567976276400noreply@blogger.com0