The state’s top school board, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), on Wednesday approved a bundle of policies developed by educators. As Aubri Juhasz, with Louisiana Public Radio reports, One new policy reduces the number of trainings teachers have to repeat each year. Another new policy gives those rated as effective more freedom over how they teach.
Collectively, the policy proposals are bundled together into an overarching strategy known as “Let Teachers Teach.” It is based on workgroup recommendations from Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley, Ph.D. He presented this new strategy to BESE members this week, and they approved.
One controversial item removes student suspension rates from Louisiana’s school accountability system. Teachers argue that because of the current policy students are often not removed from class for extreme, disruptive behavior.
Regena Beard is a teacher in the Zachary School District. She told board members that this week she witnessed a student lying on the floor, spinning in circles in the hallway. Beard recalled, “the teacher had her door open so that she could monitor that student while also doing her best to teach the students in her classroom all at the same time.
The policy change, and others, are meant to tighten discipline. Yet they have raised alarm bells for some student advocates who contend the state needs to do more to address mental health. For more information on that program specifically just click here.
