education
Jindal pushing teacher improvement
Governor Jindal: If Louisiana is to improve, education must improve, and the best way to do that is to improve teachers. Jindal recently remarked that improving education by ensuring that schools have the best teachers is his top priority for the 2012 legislative session. The governor plans to reward high-performing teachers and will offer special training for teachers who don't measure up. Full article.
Jindal sets education goals
Gov. Bobby Jindal recently indicated that improved teacher quality, school choices and educators flexibility in spending funds will be the key goals of his 2012 education agenda. Jindal plans to unveil his school package in January, which lawmakers will then officially review starting on March 12 when the regular legislative session begins. Full article.
Jindal to focus on education, staff replacements
Gov. Bobby Jindal began work to fill positions for his second term as governor, including the replacement of his chief of staff. Jindal plans to focus on elementary and secondary education improvements. The governor won his re-election bid this weekend with 66 percent of the vote. Full article.
CENLA schools earn national honors
Five Rapides Parish schools and a number of other schools in Central Louisiana recently earned national recognition. The U.S. Department of Education named three schools 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools: Rosenthal Montessori Elementary School in Alexandria, the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches and Many Elementary School. Full article.
Rapides program offers financial perk for school-business partnerships
Marjorie Taylor, of The Orchard Foundation, is leading an effort to link businesses and schools. She indicated that there’s a wealth of opportunity in CENAL for new grads, as well as employers. The Cenla Word Ready Network initiative led to the establishment of technical and vocational courses in local high schools that will help students earn industry-based certifications, and companies providing financial support to establish a course in a school can get matching funds of up to $5,000 from The Rapides Foundation. Full article.
Bunkie Elementary School begins 2011-2012 School Year early
Bunkie Elementary School begins its 2011-12 academic year on Monday, July 18 as part of an effort to improve the academic performance of the pupils. The early return to school for Bunkie Elementary pupils is part of a $1.27 million federal School Improvement Grant to overhaul the school and, with it, its chances of future success. Full Article.
Majority of displaced parish teachers to return to work
The list of displaced teachers in Rapides Parish public schools is shrinking. Most of the educators placed on the list two months ago as a result of the budget crisis affecting the district are going back to work, to fill positions that became vacant over the summer. Full article.
Virtual School Opening
A new virtual, online public school is available in Alexandria for any student, grade K-12, through the Connection Academy. The program is not home schooling, in the sense that it is a public school program where students take the same standardized tests required for other students attending traditional LA schools. Students will graduate with a diploma, not a GED. Full article.
Reneau welcomes nearly 1,400 Murphy USA managers to "LA Tech family’"
LA Tech Univ.’s President a groundbreaking educational and professional dev. partnership between the two organizations, called “MurphyUSA@LaTech.” It will provide Murphy USA managers and employees with focused educ. programs, student & academic support services, & dedicated informational resources designed to meet the specialized needs of the MurphyUSA@LaTech student. LA Tech & Murphy USA believe that the collaborative nature of this type of partnership could serve as a model for forging public-private educational ventures that are focused on creating economic & workforce dev. opportunities for the communities & regions that they serve. Full article.
Education website is like match.com -- for schools, businesses
ducation officials are looking to hook up businesses with schools in partnerships that benefit both through a new website. Rapides Parish School District is the first district that will offer a profile of all of its schools in the Department of Education's new website that aims to link businesses and schools. Full article.
