Race to the Top (RTTT)

LAE is working to insure that the RTTT applications submitted by the state are good for public education. We do however have several concerns.
 
Sustainability -The biggest concern for Louisiana is what happens in two years when RTTT funds dry up. Will the state and local school systems be forced to continue funding expensive programs that may or may meet expectations? Will state and local school systems be declared unacceptable due to lack of federal funding?   Will value added programs dissipate into thin air due to lack of funding?
 
Stakeholder input - Except for the governor and Louisiana’s chief state school officer, there is little or no contact between current stakeholders. 
 
Charter Schools - Over reliance upon charter schools as an effective means reforming schools in Louisiana:
·         There is nothing to substantiate the theory that Louisiana’s takeover schools and Recovery School District (RSD) run schools are more effective than regular schools.
·         State funding for charter/takeover schools is double the amount provided for regular public schools. Obviously, the issue of equity has not been addressed
·         Charter /takeover schools in Louisiana will lead to erosion of the Teachers’ Retirement Systems liability because charter/takeover schools are not mandated to participate.   If current trend continues, then possibly 3500 teachers will no longer contribute to a public pension plan. As everyone realize, the financial health of a pension plan is new participants and if the pool of participants decreases, then financial health of the system is jeopardized
·         The over reliance upon inexperienced teachers will lead to lower student performance. Great schools have a balance of experienced and highly qualified teachers with new teachers. Staffing schools with high numbers of uncertified teachers who do not possess teacher preparation college courses and whose only training is three week course prior to walking in the classroom
·         Charter/takeover schools do practice a form of selective admissions. Normally, they exclude special needs students by simply not offering services. Also, they normally offer curriculum designed to attract a certain student rather than offer a more general curriculum.
·         Despite Louisiana’s claim to accountability, the Louisiana’s Legislative Auditor continues to point out deficiencies which are not corrected and in fact ignored by Recovery School District (RSD) leadership and the Louisiana Department of Education.   They should be held to the same high standards as local school boards.
·         Charter/takeovers are meant to serve as lab schools. Only a small number of Louisiana’s charter/takeover schools can serve as a model for school improvement. 
 
Charter Schools
 
LAE supports Charter Schools when they are used as lab school to improve education and disseminate effective practice to other schools. We are concerned at the way charter schools are being implemented and held accountable especially when chartered by BESE and not the school district. We believe all charters should:
 
·         Operate as open admissions schools
·         Be fiscally responsible to the state and face the same penalties as local school boards for not complying with sound business practices.
·         Meet the needs of at risk children
·         Have highly trained and certified teachers
·         Be non-sectarian and not affiliated with religious instruction.
·         Assure that all employees enjoy due process and similar benefits as employees in traditional public schools.
 
Teacher Retirement System
 
Currently, Louisiana school employees enjoy a defined benefit retirement plan.   The plan as it exists is facing difficult times due to the nation’s economic plight and underfunding by the state. As in previous times, whenever the state has experienced fiscal problems some of the state’s leaders begin to call for scraping our defined benefit plan and replace it with a defined contribution plan.
 
LAE believes our pension system is no more generous than other systems in the country. Its unfunded condition is the result of underfunding by both this legislature and legislatures of the past. Governor Jindal played a role in continuing the underfunding by vetoing an amendment to the budget in 2008 which provided an additional 40 million to reduce the unfunded liability of the State and Teachers' Retirement Systems. 
 
LAE supports:
·         Proper state funding for continuing the defined contribution plan
·         Mandate that all public school employees participate in the retirement plan
 
LAE opposes:
·         Abolishing the Board of Trustees of the Teachers’ Retirement System and replace it with a Board operated and controlled by the state or appointed by the governor.
·         The adoption of a defined contribution plan to replace our current defined benefit plan.
 
 
 Virtual Schools
 
LAE has concerns about attempts at the state level to charter virtual schools using for-profit providers. We believe much research and policy development needs to be considered and woul advocate exploring expanding role of the Louisiana Virtual School, contracting with for profit providers where needed, and providing funding and student count in local parishes for use of services (facilities for meetings and special programs, access to athletics and performing arts programs etc., secure accountability testing sites during the state accountability window, direct contact with students for services not efficiently provided via technology, etc.). In short, a program well thought out and based on Louisiana's needs not the profit motives of an out of state company.
 
Teacher Tenure
 
Tenure is due process or “fair dismissal”. In Louisiana, tenure was adopted by the legislature in the 1930’s to minimize the effect of politics on hiring decisions of local school boards.  Today, given the economic conditions and change brought on by Race to the Top, due process protections provided by tenure have gained in importance. 
 
LAE opposes the elimination of tenure.
 
Electronic Communications Act
 
LAE believes that the Electronic Communications Act, while well meaning, does not significantly protect students and causes a hardship on many professional educators. We will seek to repeal or amend the act.
 
Dual Diploma Tract
 
LAE supports strategies designed to engage students in meaningful educational and work-based training. We believe that a one size fits all approach with the primary focus on higher education is inappropriate for many of our students.
 
Discipline Law
 
LAE supports:
·         The establishment and implementation of a school wide disciplinary policy that is uniformly administered.
·         Appropriate policies to ensure the safety of students and employees.
·         Appropriate in-service for school employees so that school discipline policies are fully explained and implemented.
·          
While LAE’s positions are well founded, during the course of the session events, discussions and/or ideas may cause discussions with LAE’s leadership team that will result in a modification or revision of LAE’s Legislative Program. LAE’s leadership team is committed to maintain an open line of communication with leaders, staff, administration officials and like minded groups.