Tagged News

• Three Baton Rouge charter schools attempting to obtain four-year renewals

  November 8, 2025 3:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Three Baton Rouge charter schools are attempting to continue operations through 2030 after the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board preliminarily voted on their charter renewals. The School Board voted on four-year renewals for Community School for Apprenticeship Learning Middle, The Emerge School for Autism and... more »

• Paramedic convicted of falsifying prescriptions while posing as doctor sentenced to six months in prison Play Video

  November 5, 2025 7:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A man who pleaded guilty to falsifying prescriptions while posing as a doctor has been sentenced to six months in prison, The Advocate reports. The paper reported that U.S. District Judge John deGravelles opted for the low end, citing the fact that Samrat Mukherjee had no... more »

• 2une In Previews: Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana hosting Baton Rouge Expungement Clinic Play Video

  November 4, 2025 7:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE — The Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana is hosting its inaugural Baton Rouge Expungement Clinic this weekend. The event, which will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Acadian Thruway campus of Baton Rouge Community College, will provide free legal... more »

• 2 Your Town St. Francisville: The past and future of the Julius Freyhan School Play Video

  October 23, 2025 8:50 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE — As WBRZ continues to go 2 Your Town in St. Francisville, JP takes a look back at the history of the Julius Freyhan School. The Julius Freyhan High School was the "first school" of West Feliciana Parish, educating students until 1950. More than 70 years... more »

• Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education creates AI committee to integrate technology into classrooms Play Video

  October 20, 2025 6:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously agreed to create an artificial intelligence committee on Oct. 14. The BESE AI Committee, comprised of education, technology, business and policy leaders, was tasked with creating recommendations for expanding AI integration in Louisiana classrooms and workforce development... more »

• Congressman Cleo Fields introduces bill providing teachers with student loan forgiveness

  October 20, 2025 5:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Congressman Cleo Fields introduced a bill on Sunday to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, providing undergraduate student loan forgiveness to public school teachers who completed eight consecutive years of teaching. The bill's goal is to attract and retain qualified educators nationwide during a teacher... more »

• East Baton Rouge charter schools awarded $7.1 million from U.S. Department of Education

  October 10, 2025 9:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The U.S. Department of Education awarded Helix Community Schools $7.1 million as part of its Charter Schools Program grant. Helix said the money will help transform Baker High School and Park Ridge Achievement Academy into Type 3 charter schools following their recent transition into Helix FinTech... more »

• East Baton Rouge Parish School System hosts Magnet Showcase Week across district Play Video

  September 30, 2025 12:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish School System is hosting its Magnet Showcase Week from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 across the parish. Families are invited to experience nationally recognized magnet programs, where they can visit campuses, tour facilities, meet teachers, talk to students and discover the... more »

• Louisiana Department of Education receives $13.5 million in federal funds for charter schools Play Video

  September 29, 2025 11:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Education received $13.5 million from the U.S. Department of Education to support local charter schools. The grant is part of the $500 million given to the Charter Schools Program to support increased demand for these schools. "Louisiana has proven that we... more »

• Pointe Coupee Parish students among most truant in the state, new study says Play Video

  September 25, 2025 7:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A new analysis from the Public Affairs Research Council shows a disturbing trend when it comes to truancy in Louisiana schools. The study says truancy has spiked to about 40 percent since the pandemic, which is well above previous averages. The state defines Truancy as five... more »

• Trump administration cuts to the Upward Bound program will impact Baton Rouge students Play Video

  September 23, 2025 1:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - In May, the Trump Administration proposed cutting $1.5 billion in funds for TRiO programs. TRiO is a federal initiative that's been around for more than 60 years, with one of its most popular programs being Upward Bound. The program provides certain categories of high school students... more »

• University of New Orleans to return to LSU System, leave UL System Play Video

  September 2, 2025 12:38 PM

  NEW ORLEANS — The University of New Orleans will leave the University of Louisiana System and return to the LSU System, according to a message sent out to UNO students, faculty and staff on Tuesday. The announcement comes after the Louisiana Board of Regents recommended the switch in May... more »

• BRCC opens new $35 million nursing and allied health building on campus Play Video

  August 13, 2025 4:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge Community College opened its new $35 million nursing and allied health facility on its main campus on Wednesday. The BRCC Our Lady of the Lake Health Nursing and Allied Health Building features new labs, simulated hospital and surgical rooms, a home-health-care training space, high-fidelity... more »

• $350,000 safety and security grant awarded to 7 East Baton Rouge Parish schools Play Video

  August 12, 2025 4:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness awarded a $350,000 grant for safety and security upgrades to be split among seven East Baton Rouge Parish schools. Each of the following schools will receive $50,000: - LaBelle Air Elementary - McKinley Middle - Claiborne Elementary... more »

• U.S. Secretary of Education visits Baton Rouge elementary school Play Video

  August 11, 2025 7:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE — U.S. Secretary of Education Lindon McMahon kicked off her "Returning Education to the States" tour on Monday at Jefferson Terrace Elementary School. McMahon embarked on the 50-state tour to hear from educators around the country about what is and isn't working in classrooms and to learn... more »

• 2 Your Town visits Zachary Play Video

  August 8, 2025 9:19 PM

  ZACHARY - On Friday, the inaugural 2 Your Town program visited Zachary for its third year of the Really Hot Air Balloon Festival. 2 Your Town highlights cities across the capital region, sharing their unique history and what makes these places special. In Zachary, 2 Your Town visited those... more »

• Ascension Parish students return to classes with new technologies, strengthened security Play Video

  August 4, 2025 10:53 PM

  PRAIRIEVILLE - For the 2025-26 school year, the Ascension Parish School District is expanding technology in the classroom, bringing on more educational programs and continuing to strengthen security. In a rapidly advancing digital age, Chief Administrative Director Darby Lambert said the school system works year-round to get technology into... more »

• Over $30,000 contributed to WBRZ's 17th 'Stuff the Bus' school donation drive Play Video

  July 30, 2025 11:03 PM

  BATON ROUGE - On Wednesday, volunteers, sponsors, and the people who live and love East and West Baton Rouge parishes joined WBRZ for its 17th Stuff the Bus, an annual campaign to collect donations of school supplies and monetary funds to support students in the area. More than $30,000... more »

• KOK Wings hosts McKinley High football team to encourage teens to think about life after school Play Video

  July 30, 2025 4:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE — KOK Wings hosted the McKinley High School football team Wednesday, with the owners hoping to encourage student-athletes to think about life after graduation. KOK Wings co-owner Trè'jan Vincent also encouraged the team to stay friends with their teammates post-graduation. "We want to make sure we... more »

• Zachary school district holds meeting on new tax proposal to raise teacher pay Play Video

  July 24, 2025 11:08 PM

  ZACHARY - On Thursday, the Zachary Community School District held a meeting to discuss a new tax proposal to raise teacher pay, allot funds for facility repairs and pay for technology while not raising taxes for citizens. "Instead of asking for any tax increases, what we want to do... more »

• Livingston Parish Library Board of Control tables decision on library director qualifications Play Video

  July 19, 2025 12:06 AM

  LIVINGSTON - The Livingston Parish Library Board of Control tabled the decision to change the qualifications for the system's library director role in a special meeting on Friday. This comes after the removal of former Library Director Michelle Parrish on Tuesday and the subsequent resignation of four different board members.... more »

• 70 for 70: Andrea Clesi Play Video

  July 8, 2025 3:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE — WBRZ's 70 for 70 will profile some of the personalities who have been on Channel 2's air since it went to broadcast 70 years ago. This week on 70 for 70, WBRZ is honoring one of its own: Andrea Clesi, longtime anchor and "Walter Cronkite of... more »

• 2 the Classroom: Officials say quality of education in Louisiana is improving Play Video

  June 24, 2025 8:59 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Education in Louisiana is improving, and officials say that within the last few years the state has seen tremendous growth in multiple areas. "We are the most rapidly improving state in the country for educational outcomes," Louisiana state superintendent Cade Brumley said. "When US news and... more »

• Students can learn about the legal system at annual summer camp Play Video

  June 16, 2025 5:28 AM

  BATON ROUGE - In an effort to teach kids about making good decisions and how the legal system works, District 10 Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman has partnered with the Parole Project and local attorneys for her annual summer camp. Coleman says this will teach children about the legal system and... more »

• 2une In Preview: 2nd Annual Feliciana Wildflower Festival coming to Clinton this weekend Play Video

  June 2, 2025 11:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE — The 2nd Annual Feliciana Wildflower Festival in Clinton is Saturday. Festival organizers Arlene Culpepper and Paul Davidson previewed the event on 2une In on Monday. The festival will showcase the work of the Feliciana Wildflower Project, an initiative to beautify and educate the Felicianas and... more »

• West Baton Rouge Parish School District breaks ground on new 3rd through 8th grade facility Play Video

  May 22, 2025 8:33 AM

  PORT ALLEN — The West Baton Rouge Parish School System broke ground on a new facility that officials say will usher in the next level of education in the parish. As shovels dug into the ground Wednesday afternoon, it marked the first step in building Cohn Intermediate School, a... more »

• Tuesday's Health Report: Listening to your body is the key to addressing chronic lower back pain Play Video

  May 6, 2025 6:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Lower back pain is common. It is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Up to 80 percent of people will experience it at some point in their lives. From overdoing it at the gym to sitting at your desk all day, you can... more »

• Iberville Parish teacher nominated for state Teacher of the Year award Play Video

  May 6, 2025 10:24 AM

  PLAQUEMINE - A teacher at MSA West in Iberville Parish is nominated for the state Teacher of the Year award for the first time in her 24 years of educating. Donna Michelet teaches STEM Lab at the elementary school. The class is for elementary students of all ages and... more »

• Mother-daughter duo at Gonzales Middle School nominated for state education awards Play Video

  April 30, 2025 11:44 AM

  GONZALES - Gonzales Middle School is home to not one but two Louisiana Department of Education state finalists: a mother-daughter duo. Tante Poche', one of the school's science teachers, is a finalist for Teacher of the Year. "You see them have a love for science because I have... more »

• Child advocate urges continued funding for education programs Play Video

  April 28, 2025 5:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE — An advocate for early childhood education told the Baton Rouge Press Club today that policymakers should ensure that funding continues for programs targeting pre-schoolers. Libbie Sonnier, the executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, said that many parents cannot afford pre-kindergarten programs because they... more »

• Student loans in default to be referred to debt collection, Education Department says

  April 21, 2025 4:34 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — The Education Department will begin collection next month on student loans that are in default, including the garnishing of wages for potentially millions of borrowers, officials said Monday. Currently, roughly 5.3 million borrowers are in default on their federal student loans. The Trump administration ‘s... more »

• Iberville Parish Schools hosting job fair for prospective teachers, bus drivers, other school jobs

  April 8, 2025 1:03 PM

  PLAQUEMINE — On Wednesday, the Iberville Parish School District is hosting a district-wide job fair. The job fair will allow prospective employees to apply as teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodians and other jobs in the district. The fair is at the Carl F. Grant Civic Center in Plaquemine.... more »

• Trump signs executive order dismantling the Education Department, advancing a campaign promise Play Video

  March 20, 2025 4:42 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department, advancing a campaign promise to eliminate an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives. Trump has derided the Education Department as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology. However,... more »

• Louisiana superintendents trying to determine if they will lose funding following Trump admin ED cuts Play Video

  March 19, 2025 4:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE (LSU Manship School News Service) — With President Donald Trump slashing the federal education budget, Louisiana school superintendents are scrambling to determine if they will lose any of the $2.7 billion in federal K-12 funding that has supported local school districts for years. “We don’t have any... more »

• Louisiana's education superintendent addresses federal education cuts and their impact on Louisiana Play Video

  March 17, 2025 5:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Layoffs and the potential shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education have raised concerns across the country. State Superintendent Cade Brumley believes it could be beneficial for Louisiana. "I certainly support dismantling that department, enhancing state sovereignty, empowering rights, and promoting academic excellence. I think that's... more »

• State education board votes unanimously to change name of Gulf in curriculum for 2025-26 school year Play Video

  March 12, 2025 12:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The state education department has updated its curriculum to reflect President Donald Trump's name change of the Gulf just south of Louisiana. On Wednesday, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously approved a change to the state's social studies standards to rename the Gulf... more »

• State judge denies Impact Charter's request for TRO attempting to stop new BESE-appointed board Play Video

  February 24, 2025 10:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A request for a temporary restraining order filed against the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education by Impact Charter School was denied in state court, the school's attorney said. The request asked that the newly chosen board put in place after a Legislative Auditor's report alleging... more »

• 2une In Previews: Education as a Civil Right with Baton Rouge Alliance for Students Play Video

  February 24, 2025 7:49 AM

  BATON ROUGE - This Wednesday, Feb. 26, join the Baton Rouge Alliance for Students for a discussion on education as a civil right and how society can bridge gaps to reach those without access to a classroom. The event will take place at the Independence Park Theatre at 5... more »

• Louisiana's education receives top marks in another academic progress study

  February 11, 2025 8:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana's education system has topped another study of academic improvement two weeks after The Nation's Report Card gave the state top marks. The new study, Harvard and Stanford's Education Recovery Scorecard, ranked Louisiana first in the nation for reading and second for math when comparing statistics... more »

• Louisiana launches high-dosage tutoring initiative to help struggling students catch up to grade level Play Video

  January 31, 2025 6:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Students who may be struggling academically can get the intimate teaching they need to achieve grade-level learning with a program education officials highlighted Friday. State Superintendent Cade Brumley and East Baton Rouge Parish School Board Superintendent LaMont Cole highlighted the new high-dosage tutoring initiative at Jefferson Terrace... more »

• 30th Alzheimer's Educational Conference happening this week in the city Play Video

  January 28, 2025 10:52 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area and Our Lady of the Lake Professional Development are joint providers of this year's 30th Alzheimer's Education Conference. The conference aims to support caregivers and educate on dementia risk reduction. The keynote speaker is the founder of Dementia Careblazers... more »

• BESE meets with judges to help students overcome truancy Play Video

  January 9, 2025 6:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Getting students into the classroom is becoming a statewide issue, but the problem is particularly troubling in East Baton Rouge Parish. Since the pandemic, unexcused absences have been on the rise, and leaders say the problem is that students aren’t in the classroom, they could be... more »

• Louisiana ranks No. 4 in national study measuring how states improve education systems Play Video

  December 9, 2024 11:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE—The Louisiana Department of Education said Monday that Louisiana's education system was at the top of a list ranking how states improved their education systems. Louisiana ranked fourth in the national study, which revisited the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress. The study seeks to measure how well... more »

• Trump has called for dismantling the Education Department. Here's what that would mean

  November 20, 2024 7:32 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — Throughout his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump heaped scorn on the federal Department of Education, describing it as being infiltrated by “radicals, zealots and Marxists.” He has picked Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive, to lead the department. But like many conservative politicians before him, Trump has... more »

• West Feliciana Schools receives state education department award for implementation of tutoring program

  November 8, 2024 11:05 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE — West Feliciana Parish Schools on Friday was recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education with its Models of Excellence award for the district's use of high-dosage tutoring providing students with extra academic support. According to LDOE, West Feliciana Parish Schools has more than doubled the number... more »

• Public schools to implement state's first computer science education standards for 2025-26 school year Play Video

  October 9, 2024 12:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana public schools will soon begin to implement the state's first-ever standards for computer science education, the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Wednesday. The new standards, which will be implemented for the 2025-2026 school year, are designed to ensure graduates apply analytical... more »

• Two free educational events available to Baton Rouge students to promote literary, STEM education Play Video

  September 26, 2024 11:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Two free educational events are happening Friday and Saturday in the capital region. On Friday, the Louisiana Jumpstart Coalition is hosting its 11th annual Financial Literacy Boot Camp at the EBR Parish Professional Development Center on 3000 North Sherwood Drive. It is part of training... more »

• Walker middle school receives $405,000 grant for aquaponics education program

  September 18, 2024 4:24 PM

  WALKER — A Walker middle school has been awarded a $405,000 grant to establish an aquaponics program aiming to develop and foster scientific and environmental literacy among students, the Louisiana Department of Education announced Wednesday. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Gulf Research Program awarded the grant... more »

• BESE approves 'Let Teachers Teach' recommendations targeting disruptive students, redundant training Play Video

  August 21, 2024 4:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana's statewide school board on Wednesday approved recommendations from its "Let Teachers Teach" workgroup, reducing the number of training sessions for teachers and calling for stricter student discipline in an effort to eliminate distractions. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously to approve the... more »

• New laws take effect designed to protect teachers, discipline students Play Video

  July 31, 2024 9:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A new school year comes with a new list of classroom rules. In a letter addressed to school system leaders, Louisiana State Superintendent Cade Brumley says he wants leaders to “recommit to assertive discipline action” in the classroom. In the letter, Brumley laid out expectations for... more »

• Iberville Parish principal, early education leader receive statewide honors

  July 27, 2024 11:09 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Two educators from Iberville Parish were honored with statewide awards during a ceremony Saturday night. The Principal of the Year award went to Dr. Amanda Austin, who leads MSA East Academy in St. Gabriel. The magnet K-12 school is specializes in math, science and art. ... more »

• Donaldsonville elementary school teacher receives opportunity to attend growth program with national institute

  July 23, 2024 10:52 AM

  DONALDSONVILLE - A local elementary school teacher is one of just 12 educators selected to attend a one-year program to deepen their knowledge of supporting students and faculty in and around their districts. Jessica Ockman works at Donaldsonville Primary School. She and 11 other educators from around the country... more »

• Louisiana's early elementary students improve reading scores by significant margin from start of year

  July 9, 2024 11:23 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana's kindergarten through third-grade students have improved their reading scores by 10 percentage points, the state's Department of Education said Tuesday. The percentage of students reading on grade level during the 2023-2024 school year jumped from 44.6% on the beginning-of-year screener to 54.6% on the end-of-year... more »

• BRCC Chancellor elected to role at the American Association of Community Colleges

  July 9, 2024 11:01 AM

  BATON ROUGE— Baton Rouge Community College Chancellor Dr. Willie E. Smith Sr. has been elected to serve a three year term as an institutional representative for the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges. 32 members are elected to the AACC Board. The organization advocates for... more »

• Pierre to take over as Southern University's chancellor; plans to expand educational programs Play Video

  June 24, 2024 6:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Change is coming to Southern University's leadership. John K. Pierre will no longer be chancellor of the law center. Starting July 1, Pierre will serve as chancellor of the university’s entire campus. This is the first time since 2015 that the role of president-chancellor will be... more »

• St. George Council meets for education session as next step in forming new government Play Video

  June 19, 2024 4:59 PM

  ST. GEORGE - The Louisiana Municipal Association met with St. George leaders Wednesday to lend some expertise to the new city's leadership as it builds out its new municipal services. The session took place at the St. George Fire Station — St. George's de facto town hall — where... more »

• Governor Jeff Landry hosts press conference discussing slew of education bills passed in session

  June 19, 2024 11:22 AM

  LAFAYETTE - Wednesday morning, Jeff Landry hosted a press conference to speak in detail about various education bills he signed into law this past legislative session, including a bill requiring classrooms to display the Ten Commandments and one allowing parents to use public fund vouchers to send their kids to... more »

• Department of Education funding volunteer group to help keep kids on pace with reading skills

  June 13, 2024 9:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Thanks to funding from the Louisiana Department of Education, a volunteer group will receive additional training to help keep kids on track with their reading skills. Volunteers in Public Schools is a local nonprofit that pairs up Reading Friends with students struggling to keep up with... more »

• Louisiana Department of Education hosts career expo to recruit teachers, other professionals Play Video

  June 5, 2024 3:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Education held a free career expo in Baton Rouge on Wednesday morning to attract new talent to the education field. The third-annual event, held at the department's downtown headquarters, featured a range of job opportunities including teacher and administrator positions. Attendees had... more »

• Bill increasing access to cardiac arrest training for student athletes, parents lands on governor's desk Play Video

  June 3, 2024 12:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - This week is CPR and AED awareness week, and a new bill would teach student athletes and their parents about sudden cardiac arrest prior to sports play. The organization who brought the bill, HB252, to Rep. Michael Johnson, R-Pineville, is Gray's Army Foundation. It was founded... more »

• Louisiana lawmakers OK plan to have state taxpayers pay students' private school tuition Play Video

  May 30, 2024 5:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana lawmakers on Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would let parents of children educated in private and parochial schools direct taxpayer money to advance their education. The Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise bill, also known as LA GATOR, is headed to... more »