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• Effort to stop Common Core standards advances

  May 22, 2013 6:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A tea party-backed attempt to keep Louisiana from using a set of uniform national standards for public school testing will be considered by the Senate. The Senate Education Committee on Wednesday advanced a resolution that calls on state education officials to stop implementation of the Common Core... more »

• Audit: DOE skipped steps in monitoring charters

  May 20, 2013 11:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A new audit says the state education department had gaps in its monitoring of the academic performance of Louisiana's charter schools. The review, released Monday by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's Office, looked at charter school monitoring activities during the 2011-12 budget year. The audit says the Department... more »

• Zachary to farm out expelled students

  May 19, 2013 12:56 PM

  ZACHARY, La. - The Zachary Community School Board will hire a private academy to provide programs for middle- and high-school students who are expelled from their regular schools. The Advocate reports that the district's alternative school has been at the Port Hudson Career Academy. Board members have plans to expand... more »

• 8 arrested, 2 at large in truancy crackdown

  May 16, 2013 10:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Police arrested eight women and are seeking two more in East Baton Rouge Parish after they said they failed to send their kids to school despite repeated warnings. The arrests were part of an effort by the new Family and Youth Services Center to target repeat... more »

• Big Buddy wants to keep kids learning this summer Play Video

  May 15, 2013 5:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - When kids leave school for summer break, many are ready to put education completely out of their minds. That's why the Big Buddy organization started summer learning sessions called "Zula Patrol" to keep kids' minds active and prevent summer learning loss. Some "Little Buddies" joined... more »

• Local schools owed $30M because of court ruling

  May 15, 2013 1:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Superintendent of Education John White says the state owes local school districts $30 million because the Louisiana Supreme Court threw out this year's public school funding formula. The Supreme Court ruled that lawmakers couldn't fund a voucher program to send children to private school through the formula... more »

• Voucher supporters to rally at state capitol

  May 15, 2013 10:49 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Supporters of Louisiana's school voucher program will join Gov. Bobby Jindal this afternoon at a rally for the program. The state Supreme Court recently ruled that the method used to fund the program violated the state's constitution. Jindal swore the program would be funded by the... more »

• Breakaway school district bill before committee

  May 14, 2013 10:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Supporters of a breakaway school district in southeast Baton Rouge gathered at the Capitol today for a committee hearing over the bills to create it. The House Education Committee scheduled a hearing for the two bills this morning. Both were approved in the Senate last week.... more »

• LSU names dean of human sciences, education

  May 12, 2013 10:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Damon Andrew has been hired as dean of LSU's College of Human Sciences and Education. He had been serving as professor and dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Troy University in Alabama. He will join LSU on July 1. Andrew succeeds Laura Lindsay,... more »

• Bills to revamp early childhood education advance

  May 10, 2013 8:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Proposals to tie public funding to student performance and issue letter grades to Louisiana's public and private early childhood education programs are finding easy passage through the Legislature. Two Senate bills are the cornerstones of Gov. Bobby Jindal's attempt to restructure early childhood education and to create uniform... more »

• Voucher program needs funding Play Video

  May 8, 2013 6:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A day after a court ruled the funding source for the state's private school voucher program was unconstitutional, lawmakers at the Capitol are discussing how to fund the program. In previous years, funding for a similar program in New Orleans was allocated in the general budget, known... more »

• Future of school funding in question

  May 8, 2013 10:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers working on next year's budget now have new questions to answer when it comes to school funding. The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the state can't use its normal school funding formula for its voucher program. Critics of the program said doing so took... more »

• Senate backs breakaway school district in Baton Rouge

  May 7, 2013 5:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Two proposed laws that would create a new, public school district in East Baton Rouge Parish cleared the Senate Tuesday. Both organizations connected to the push- one for and another against- posted the news on Facebook, alerting followers to the developments. People posted congratulatory comments on... more »

• BR native passing on secrets of perfect test scores Play Video

  May 7, 2013 4:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge native Craig Gehring made perfect scores on the ACT and SAT. Now he's helping a new generation of students facing the same tests. Gehrig created a series of test prep books and camps passing along good test-taking tips and techniques for students preparing for... more »

• La. Supreme Court rules voucher funding unconstitutional Play Video

  May 7, 2013 10:47 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's highest court ruled today that the funding formula for Gov. Bobby Jindal's key education reform, school vouchers, violates the state's constitution. Today's ruling was 6-1, with Justice Greg Guidry dissenting. It affects Act 2, which diverts per-student funding to private and parochial schools to... more »

• Senate panel rejects election of education chief

  May 1, 2013 4:05 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A bid to make Louisiana's education superintendent elected by voters, rather than appointed by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, has failed to gain traction in the Senate. The Senate Education Committee voted 4-2 Wednesday against the proposal by Republican Sen. Bob Kostelka - but only... more »

• Bill to repeal LSEA stalls in committee Play Video

  May 1, 2013 12:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE- After hours of testimony, lawmakers deferred a bill intended to repeal a law critics say allows creationism to be taught in public schools. Senate Bill 26, authored by Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, sought to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act, which some say allows teachers... more »

• Breakaway school district clears first hurdle Play Video

  April 29, 2013 6:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A proposed breakaway school district cleared an important hurdle after the Senate Finance Committee voted favorably for it to reach the Senate floor. The bill, authored by Senator Bodi White of Baton Rouge, would create a new school district in East Baton Rouge Parish between I-10... more »

• N.O. school system finances improved, but flawed

  April 25, 2013 11:22 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - A New Orleans-based government watchdog group says the school system in New Orleans has significantly improved its financial operations in the years since Hurricane Katrina shut down the city's public education system for months. But the Bureau of Governmental Research report issued Thursday also found flaws in... more »

• School board makes campus switch, no decision on school days

  April 22, 2013 9:36 PM

  CLINTON- Students at some schools in East Feliciana Parish will attend different schools next school year. Monday, the school board voted to swap locations for the high school and middle school. The high school campus will move to Clinton and the middle school will move to Jackson. A judge... more »

• LA incarcerated highest per capita in nation Play Video

  April 19, 2013 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The number of people in prisons in Louisiana is the highest per capita in the nation. It's costing taxpayers a lot of money, and today, state and local leaders met to address the problems this poses. Education and time spent in prison was the main... more »

• School leaders to talk about four-day school week

  April 18, 2013 9:48 PM

  CLINTON- School system leaders in East Feliciana Parish are considering a four-day school week. Monday, it will be discussed at a special board meeting. Earlier this month, voters said no to a property tax that would have funded system improvements. In October, Superintendent Henderson Lewis Jr. warned... more »

• Ascension voters to decide 3 school taxes May 4

  April 18, 2013 8:39 AM

  GONZALES - Voters in Ascension Parish will choose to renew or end three school taxes that account for $31.3 million of the school district's annual budget at the May 4 election. The three property tax renewals are dedicated toward teacher salaries, technology and facility maintenance. Early voting begins Saturday... more »

• District faced with teacher layoffs Play Video

  April 17, 2013 5:48 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- A number of West Feliciana Parish School System employees were told this week that they were being laid off. At least 14 employees, mostly teachers, received layoff notices effective at the end of the school year. Next year the district is facing a $1.5 million deficit.... more »

• BESE drops plan to change rules

  April 17, 2013 9:21 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's top school board has dropped proposed new rules that public school counselors and librarians said would diminish their roles and hurt students. Both state Superintendent of Education John White, who initially pushed the changes, and Chas Roemer, president of the state Board of Elementary and... more »

• Audit: Students missed out on financial aid Play Video

  April 15, 2013 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Students at Capital Area Technical College missed out on financial aid, according to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. The reports says 693 students attending CATC did not receive academic excellence and operational fee waivers totalling $58,635, although they were later identified as being eligible. Almost 3,500... more »

• Resolution would support Livingston technical college

  April 8, 2013 9:34 PM

  LIVINGSTON- More support for a technical college here could come Tuesday, when lawmakers are scheduled to discuss a resolution backing a study on the matter. Many people, including parish leaders and business groups, want a facility in the parish. They said the growth is fueling the demand. The... more »

• ExxonMobil grant to aid Baton Rouge education

  April 5, 2013 3:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE- ExxonMobil has announced a new $450,000 grant focusing on improving science instruction in schools across north Baton Rouge. Representatives made the announcement Friday at the library of Scotlandville High School The money will be divided among three organizations over three years: $75,000 will go each year to... more »

• Higher Ed Commissioner says budget has problems

  April 4, 2013 12:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's higher education commissioner says the governor's budget would leave colleges uncertain of their funding levels next year and create cash flow problems at schools. Commissioner Jim Purcell told the House Appropriations Committee that he's troubled by Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget recommendation. Jindal's spending plan would plug... more »

• Head Start to hold Recruitment Day this Saturday Play Video

  April 3, 2013 9:50 AM

  The East Baton Rouge Head Start Program is accepting applications for the 2013-14 school year. This weekend, seven Head Start Centers will host Recruitment Fun Day, when parents can tour the facilities, ask questions and apply for the Early Head Start and Head Start programs. Fun Day takes... more »

• Petition: Parents want Prescott Middle returned Play Video

  April 2, 2013 10:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A group of East Baton Rouge Parish parents is asking the Recovery School District to return the Prescott Middle School building to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. They are circulating an on-line petition that outlines their request, and said when RSD took over seven... more »

• Lawmaker supports technical college plans

  April 1, 2013 9:43 PM

  LIVINGSTON- A state lawmaker is backing plans for a technical college in one of the state's fastest growing parishes. Sen. Dale Erdey proposes establishing a newly formed campus on the current grounds of the Literacy and Technology Center on Florida Blvd. in Walker. The school system owns the... more »

• Bill filed to split public schools in Baton Rouge

  March 27, 2013 2:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE- For the second year in a row, a state lawmaker has filed a bill to establish a breakaway school district. The bill, if it becomes a law, would pave the way for schools in the southeastern section of Baton Rouge to split from the East Baton Rouge... more »

• School exams undergo sweeping changes

  March 25, 2013 10:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A test that fourth- and eighth-graders have to pass for promotion is on the way out. It's part of a series of changes unfolding in how Louisiana measures what public students know. Students in grades 4 and 8 took the first part of LEAP, which is... more »

• State appeals voucher ruling in court Play Video

  March 19, 2013 10:03 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Supreme Court justices will hear arguments this afternoon from state attorneys as they appeal the ruling against the controversial school voucher program. Supporters of the program gathered on the courthouse steps to hold a rally this morning. District Court Judge Tim Kelley ruled the... more »

• State to use $5M to turn around failing schools

  March 14, 2013 9:11 AM

  NEW ORLEANS - State Superintendent John White says the state will use $5 million in federal professional development funds to train educators interested in turning around failing district-run schools. The "Believe and Succeed" grants cover a year of advanced training for the new school leaders. White announced the initiative in... more »

• Southern hopes to boost enrollment

  March 11, 2013 5:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Southern University discussed ways to increase enrollment and boost graduation rates at The Press Club this afternoon. Albert Tezeno, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success, told reporters the university is working to increase partnerships with high schools and community colleges, a tactic echoed by Southern students. ... more »

• Pre-K openings in some EBR schools

  March 7, 2013 4:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - There are still some openings for pre-kindergarten students in East Baton Rouge Parish schools. The first round of the pre-k registration period, which began Jan. 28, is completed. You can find a list of elementary schools with openings still available at the district's website . ... more »

• BESE considers 2013-14 school funding formula

  March 7, 2013 10:36 AM

  BATON ROUGE - State education officials heard a briefing this morning on the school funding formula for the 2013-2014 school year. Superintendent of Education John White held the teleconference at the start of BESE's regularly scheduled meeting. News 2's Mike Steele is at the meeting and will have... more »

• Students return to schools after threats

  March 6, 2013 11:02 AM

  LAFITTE- Students were evacuated from two Jefferson Parish schools Wednesday after administrators said the campuses received threats. Students were permitted to return late Wednesday morning to Marrero Academy for Advanced Studies in Marrero and Fisher Middle-High School in Lafitte. Authorities say no threatening devices were found at the schools. Sherriff's... more »

• 8th grader faces charges after school threat

  March 5, 2013 5:04 PM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE- A 13-year-old faces charges for terrorizing after calling-in a threat to West Feliciana Middle School Tuesday morning. Students were evacuated to the football stadium after the threat and were dismissed. The threat was determined to be a hoax. The teen, an 8th grader, has been... more »

• LSU now available online

  March 5, 2013 8:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU is set to extend its campus beyond Baton Rouge. On Monday, the university launched LSU Online, a new, completely Web-based, distance-learning initiative. Administrators hope the online program will increase enrollment, generate revenue and build the university's "brand" nationwide. The initial launch offers graduate students a choice... more »

• Education reform ruling victory for teachers group Play Video

  March 4, 2013 6:03 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is applauding the judge who struck down the third part of Gov. Jindal's education reform, ruling it unconstitutional. President of LFT Steve Monaghan says, since the law has been enacted, it's created tension among the state's educators. "It was a... more »

• Judge throws out Jindal's teacher tenure revamp

  March 4, 2013 11:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A judge has thrown out Gov. Jindal's revamp of teacher tenure laws as unconstitutional because it was contained in legislation with too many other items. Judge Michael Caldwell previously had thrown out parts of the education law that limited the authority of local school boards. But he... more »

• Parents, leaders consider another breakaway school district

  March 1, 2013 10:40 PM

  ST. GABRIEL- There is talk of a split from the Iberville Parish School District among people who live on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Also joining the discussion, city leaders. They are looking at the possibility of forming their own municipal system. St. Gabriel Mayor Lionel... more »

• Breakaway school district proposed in Iberville Parish

  March 1, 2013 8:20 AM

  ST. GABRIEL - Some residents and city leaders in St. Gabriel are looking to break away from the parish's school district to form their own municipal system. St. Gabriel Mayor Lionel Johnson said Thursday the community wants to opt out of the parish's school system because of "years of frustration"... more »

• White briefs lawmakers on school security

  February 28, 2013 10:59 AM

  BATON ROUGE - State education superintendent John White briefed state lawmakers this morning on security conditions and changes at Louisiana's schools. White said after the Sandy Hook elementary shooting in Connecticut, 52 percent of Louisiana's school districts made changes to their school security plans. He also said 98... more »

• Jindal budget calls for $424M in one-time cash

  February 22, 2013 10:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers questioned Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration today about decisions in their proposed budget for next year. Jindal's $24.7 billion budget calls for the use of $424 million in one-time cash and college tuition increases to prevent deeper cuts to higher education. Commissioner of Administration Kristy... more »

• Parents questioning school security in West Baton Rouge Play Video

  February 21, 2013 6:24 PM

  PORT ALLEN - School security in West Baton Rouge remains an issue of concern for parents and the parish school board. At a meeting last night, a board member suggested the schools start using metal detectors and initiate lock down procedures to keep trespassers away and prevent students from... more »

• White outlines 2013-14 education priorities

  February 20, 2013 4:07 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Education Superintendent John White says improving the graduation rate among students with disabilities and enabling high school students to earn technical college associate degrees are among the priorities in the coming year for the state education department. White also said Wednesday that a fund will be... more »

• State accepting school voucher applications

  February 13, 2013 10:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Applications are available for the Louisiana Scholarship Program for the 2013 - 2014 school year. Last year, more than 10,000 students applied for the controversial program. State Superintendent John White says they were only able to accommodate nearly 5,000 of those students and "that means we... more »

• Southern focuses on out-of-state recruiting

  February 13, 2013 8:05 AM

  BATON ROUGE - After several consecutive years of decreased enrollment, Southern University is making an aggressive push to recruit new students by offering in-state tuition to out-of-state students. The university is reaching out to foreign countries and asking alumni nationwide to sell the school's attributes to prospective enrollees. Southern's enrollment... more »

• States high court to hear voucher case in March

  February 11, 2013 7:10 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Louisiana's top court next month will hear the state's appeal of a Baton Rouge judge's ruling that Louisiana's expanded voucher program unconstitutionally divert public funds to private and parochial schools. The state Supreme Court is scheduled to entertain oral arguments March 19 in New Orleans. State District Judge... more »

• State seeks bids for pre-K overhaul

  February 7, 2013 7:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE - State officials say they are soliciting bids from school districts and others for pilot projects to overhaul pre-kindergarten classes in Louisiana. The changes stem from a 2012 state law, which assigned details of the do-over to the state Department of Education and the state Board of Elementary... more »

• Professor group criticizes LSU reorganization

  January 31, 2013 11:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The nation's top organization of college professors is asking LSU to end what it calls a "seeming disregard" for faculty participation in a university reorganization effort. The American Association of University Professors, based in Washington, D.C., says efforts including faculty in discussion have been largely symbolic. The Advocate... more »

• 2 BESE appointees leaving the board this month

  January 18, 2013 4:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Two of Gov. Bobby Jindal's appointees to the state's top school board are leaving the positions, and the governor has tapped his former chief of staff to fill one of the vacant spots. Penny Dastugue of Covington and John Bennett of Port Allen announced Friday that they... more »

• NYC, union trade harsh words over plan impasse

  January 18, 2013 2:30 AM

  NEW YORK - The issue of teacher evaluations has been contentious around the country. Now it's brought New York City and its teachers' union to an impasse and harsh war of words that has put the city at risk of losing up to $450 million in state aid and grants.... more »

• Lawmakers reviewing school security practices

  January 17, 2013 3:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Education leaders are reviewing Louisiana school security procedures after the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school. Superintendent of Education John White suggested lawmakers should tweak a state law from 2001 that requires all elementary and secondary public schools to have a written crisis management and response... more »

• BESE agrees to do away with some school mandates

  January 16, 2013 10:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has agreed to shrink the number of mandates required of local school districts, despite concerns it would let school districts eliminate school counselors and librarians to cut costs. Superintendent of Education John White proposed changes to 150 different sections of... more »

• Tweaks planned for teacher evaluation system

  January 16, 2013 4:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is expected to approve modest changes to the state's method for evaluating public school teachers, after a board committee backed the ideas. The changes were recommended by Superintendent of Education John White, tweaking a system that links half a teacher's... more »

• More teachers retiring after education reforms Play Video

  January 15, 2013 6:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE- More teachers are leaving the profession than ever before as the number of educators retiring increased more than 25 percent. Some think it's because of the governor's education reforms, which would evaluate teachers' effectiveness based on student performance. "Right now, what is perceived to be very... more »

• Rate of Louisiana teachers retiring spikes

  January 14, 2013 9:14 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The number of teachers retiring jumped more than 25 percent as the administration of Gov. Bobby Jindal pushed an overhaul of public education that changes the rules on how teachers are evaluated. That's according to the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana. The number of retirements from... more »

• Group gives LA high marks for education changes

  January 7, 2013 9:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Sweeping changes to the education system in Louisiana received accolades from a group that tracks education policies. A report by StudentsFirst ranked Louisiana the best in the nation for "putting students first." "The state has adopted meaningful educator evaluations, and it requires districts to base all... more »

• Portion of teacher reforms ruled unconstitutional Play Video

  December 18, 2012 2:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A judge upheld most of Gov. Jindal's education reforms targeting teachers in Louisiana today. The judge upheld three sections of Act 1, also called the ' Talent Act ', which make it tougher for teachers to get tenure and did away with teacher pay scales, instead... more »

• Ruling on school reform expected today

  December 18, 2012 10:30 AM

  BATON ROUGE- A ruling on the portion of the governor's school reform package known as the 'Talent Act,' is expected today in 19th Judicial District Court. The act changes the way teachers are hired, fired, and evaluated. It also adds language to allow school districts to change pay scales... more »

• East Feliciana Parish considers tax vote

  December 10, 2012 9:12 AM

  CLINTON - The East Feliciana Parish School Board has started talking about raising more money for public education. The board's financial adviser, certified public accountant Tommy LeJeune, presented estimates of the amount of money that could be gained if voters approved a 28-, 38- or 48-mill property tax increase.... more »

• LSU board repeats vote on controversial job merger

  December 7, 2012 4:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - LSU's governing board has re-approved its plans to merge the jobs of university system president and flagship campus chancellor. The Board of Supervisors unanimously backed the idea Friday in its second vote on the issue. The latest vote was designed to address concerns from the attorney general's... more »

• Decision on school mandates pushed back to January

  December 5, 2012 7:49 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has delayed a decision on shrinking the number of mandates required of local school districts. Superintendent of Education John White proposed getting rid of the statewide school calendar, changing physical education standards to allow credit for extracurricular activities like... more »

• UL Board interviews Guice Tuesday

  December 3, 2012 10:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Tech University may find out who its next president is going to be Tuesday. Les Guice, executive vice president and vice president for research and development at Louisiana Tech, was named the one remaining finalist by the search committee Thursday. The committee will recommend Guice be... more »

• Judge rules school voucher funding unconstitutional Play Video

  November 30, 2012 2:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A district court judge ruled today the funding formula in Gov. Bobby Jindal's school voucher program violates the state's constitution. Judge Tim Kelley made the ruling after a week of arguments and testimony in Baton Rouge. He said it was against the constitution to send tax... more »

• Ruling expected this afternoon in voucher lawsuit

  November 30, 2012 10:48 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Closing arguments ended a short time ago in the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Gov. Bobby Jindal's new school voucher program. Judge Tim Kelley recessed the court until 2 p.m., at which time he plans to give his ruling. Teacher unions and school boards say... more »

• Testimony wraps up in lawsuit against vouchers

  November 30, 2012 7:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A three-day trial in a lawsuit challenging Gov. Bobby Jindal's voucher program as unconstitutional is wrapping up. Baton Rouge Judge Tim Kelley asked lawyers to give their closing arguments Friday. It was unclear if he would rule immediately after their arguments or request additional information in the... more »

• Education leaders want placement tests for younger students

  November 29, 2012 11:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE- State education leaders will ask the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to change how students earn credit for classes. Under a plan to be presented to BESE, students would be able to take tests and earn credit for classes they never actually took. The system would... more »

• Testimony in voucher lawsuit continues Thursday

  November 29, 2012 10:26 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Testimony is continuing for a second day in a Baton Rouge trial over whether Gov. Bobby Jindal's statewide voucher program is unconstitutional. Judge Tim Kelley said he expects to rule this week on the lawsuit from teacher unions and school boards seeking to shut down the vouchers... more »

• Ascension Parish among finalists for federal grant

  November 28, 2012 9:06 AM

  DONALDSONVILLE - The Ascension Parish school district is one of 60 finalists left in the running for a prestigious Race to the Top district grant being awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. Superintendent Patrice Pujol said Tuesday the district made the final paring. Ascension Parish is the only... more »

• W. Feliciana expands one-to-one computer program

  November 26, 2012 10:21 AM

  ST. FRANCISVILLE - The West Feliciana Parish school system continues to expand a program that puts computers into students' hands for use in class or at home. The program started in 2007 from a state grant. Jerome Matherne, the district's technology supervisor, tells The Advocate the one-to-one computer initiative now... more »

• Lee High to be built on site of current school

  November 15, 2012 10:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The school board decided Thursday night to build a new Lee High School where the old one stands, on the street that shares its name. The project will cost about $58 million. The board still needs to find an architect. The new school could open by... more »

• Teen busted with gun at area high school

  November 14, 2012 2:08 PM

  PONCHATOULA- The high school here was placed on lock down earlier Wednesday as law enforcement personnel searched the campus for a gun. During the search, the gun was found and a 15-year-old was arrested. The student's name was not released. A spokesperson said in an email to media... more »

• EBR school district discussing new zones Play Video

  November 12, 2012 5:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The East Baton Rouge Parish School District is discussing a plan to expand school attendance zones and create more options for students. Under the plan, the district would create four regional zones of schools. Superintendent Dr. Bernard Taylor will lead a meeting tonight to discuss the... more »

• School system considers plan to re-enroll dropouts

  November 9, 2012 9:06 AM

  LAFAYETTE - The Lafayette Parish School System may soon partner with a company that seeks dropouts and gives them a chance to finish high school anytime and anywhere. The company, The American Academy's No Dropouts program, works with school districts to bring dropouts back to school and provides educational... more »

• Livingston School Board selects new superintendent

  November 8, 2012 8:55 PM

  LIVINGSTON- To fill the position of superintendent, school system leaders only had to promote someone. The selection for the system's next leader was made from with-in the system, John Watson. Watson is the current Assistant Superintendent for the Livingston Parish School System. The school board made the decision... more »

• Public school's bible history class has fewer students

  November 3, 2012 10:52 AM

  AMITE- Some school leaders in Tangipahoa Parish want to do more to get kids to take a Bible history class. Enrollment in the class has fallen. It's an elective, approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Currently, it's only taught at Ponchatoula High School. But, board... more »

• What to do with Lee High School

  November 1, 2012 10:11 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board will meet tonight to discuss Lee High School's future. The school board plans to rebuild the school, but where to locate the school is the problem. Some want to rebuild the school in it's current location, while others want... more »

• Education chief seeks day care tax credit changes

  October 31, 2012 7:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Superintendent of Education John White is suggesting the state tweak tax credits it offers to day care centers, tying them to new grading standards being devised for Louisiana's publicly-funded early childhood education programs. That's among the ideas White unveiled Tuesday as he works on a new... more »

• LSU Board Oks new top position

  October 26, 2012 10:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE(AP) - The LSU Board of Supervisors has approved the merger of the positions of president of the LSU System and chancellor of the Baton Rouge campus into a single position. Friday's unanimous vote created the new position, "President of LSU." Board chairman Hank Danos says the vote is... more »

• New superintendent hired in Zachary

  October 25, 2012 9:41 PM

  ZACHARY- One of Louisiana's best school districts hired its next leader Thursday night. Scott Devillier was appointed Zachary School System's superintendent. Devillier is currently working for the district as director of operations. The board expects to have a contract for him by the next board meeting. Devillier... more »

• White: 4 districts violating anti-seniority law

  October 18, 2012 2:24 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana Education Superintendent John White says four school districts are not complying with a law forbidding seniority-based teacher layoffs. But officials with those districts - St. Martin, St. Tammany, Vermilion and St. Bernard - say their systems comply with the law, by giving seniority a low priority... more »

• WBR school employees to get extra check

  October 18, 2012 7:32 AM

  PORT ALLEN - The West Baton Rouge Parish School Board has unanimously approved a request from Superintendent David Corona to give the district's nearly 600 employees a 13th check in the amount of $800. The check will be issued to employees in December and funded through the school district's... more »

• New way for La. to approve public funding Play Video

  October 12, 2012 10:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Top education leaders have developed a new plan to speed up the way Louisiana approves public funding for private schools. Private schools use public funding to cover the cost of textbooks, transportation and food. In order to be eligible for the funding, private schools must... more »

• Parents get ready for school voucher fight Play Video

  October 11, 2012 10:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A lawsuit to stop the school vouchers goes to court next month. But parents of students benefiting from the vouchers met at Hosanna Christian School to look at ways to fight the suit. Hosanna has a large number of students on the voucher program and... more »

• Site launched to help La. children's well-being Play Video

  October 9, 2012 5:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - There's a new way to track how children are growing, and for the first time, all the data is in one central location. The Louisiana Kids' Dashboard website, launched by the Governor's Children's Cabinet, tracks statistics about eduction, health care and safety. It was developed as... more »