FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DFER Louisiana Calls on Lawmakers to Support High-Quality Public School Options
It is essential that Louisiana continue the progress that’s been made on behalf of high-quality public education for all students
Baton Rouge, La. – In Louisiana legislature’s 2016 regular session, House and Senate lawmakers have filed a number of bills that target public charter schools across the state that prohibit the expansion of high-quality public school options. By limiting the state’s ability to authorize new charter schools, attacking charter school flexibility, and stripping charter school funding, state legislators are attempting to roll back the clock on the progress we’ve made.
“As Louisiana Charter School Week begins, DFER-LA urges members of the House and Senate Education committees to vote to ensure that students and families in Louisiana have the opportunity to get an excellent education and have a breadth of quality options to do so,” said Eva Kemp, State Director for DFER-LA.
Among the policy decisions lawmakers are facing this session, two bills have been filed to prevent the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) from authorizing charter schools and prohibiting the authorization of charter schools in districts that received higher letter grades (SB 170 & SB 198). Currently, there are over 41,000 students attending D- or F-rated schools in A or B districts.
“Put simply, these bills would harm students and their families who are seeking options even in districts that are performing well on paper,” said Kemp.
A bill that would prescribe what types of teachers charter schools can hire (HB 168), and a bill that would aim to reduce local education funding to charter schools (HB 555) would dramatically shrink local resources that public charter schools rely on to provide students with rigorous learning environments.
“Louisiana public education has come too far to stop now,” said Kemp. “Studies show that student achievement in charter schools across Louisiana is improving at a remarkable rate. State legislators must continue to provide high-quality public school options for our students, encourage schools to thrive and innovate, and work toward policies that benefit every child in Louisiana. It is essential that Louisiana continue the progress that’s been made on behalf of high-quality public education for all students.”
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Contact: Eva Kemp, eva@dfer.org