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Capitol Report
By the time the 2010 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session adjourned on June 21, 2010, approximately 2,300 bills had been introduced by Louisiana's 144 legislators. Governor Bobby Jindal allowed 1,053 bills to become law and vetoed 18 bills (including line-item vetoes).
This year, the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (A+PEL) had an interest in 180 bills. A+PEL action ranged from monitoring, to supporting or opposing via written statements, and direct testimony. To obtain a complete list of education Acts, view A+PEL's 2010 Legislative Wrap-Up.
The hot topic this legislative session was education reform which was being heavily pushed by the Governor's office. Heated public debates took place over two key pieces of legislation, HB 1033 by Rep. Frank Hoffmann, and HB 1368 by Rep. Jane Smith.
- VALUE-ADDED LEGISLATION: Under HB 1033 (Act 54), teachers will be formally evaluated each year rather than every three years. The “value added” model calculates student academic growth by predicting how much a student should learn in one year and then comparing that to what they actually learn. Student information, such as socio-economic background, academic history, and exceptionalities are factored into the equation. Student academic growth will count for 50 percent of teacher evaluations with the remaining 50 percent based on traditional methods, such as principal observations, peer reviews and other indicators, as provided under current law. Teachers evaluated as “ineffective” will be provided with targeted professional development activities. After they have been evaluated as “ineffective” for three consecutive years they will not be re-certified unless an appeal is made by the local school board.
- RED TAPE REDUCTION AND LOCAL EMPOWERMENT LEGISLATION: HB 1368 (ACT 749) by Rep. Jane Smith authorizes an optional program for local school districts that would allow them to seek a waiver of state laws and BESE policies, with some exceptions. The bill empowers local public school districts to tell policymakers what they need to improve school performance and gives them the ability to be released of red tape and regulations that impede their progress.
While this was one of the most difficult and demanding legislative sessions that the state of Louisiana has faced in generations, A+PEL remains encouraged by our state government's commitment to education.
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Legislative Connect
Legislative Sessions
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