Platform/Goals

MY PLATFORM FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION



RETURN LOCAL CONTROL TO DISTRICTS

REPLACE COMMON CORE STANDARDS WITH LOUISIANA 
STANDARDS CREATED BY EDUCATORS

PROHIBIT BESE FROM JOINING FEDERAL INITIATIVES THAT REQUIRE ADHERENCE
TO FEDERAL MANDATES

PROVIDE POLICY THAT EFFECTS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
 
REQUIRE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL TEACHERS AND ALL SCHOOLS THAT IS
 FAIR, EQUITABLE & CONSTRUCTIVE

SATISFY CHOICE BY PROVIDING A QUALITY PUBLIC SCHOOL FOR EVERY CHILD

APPOINT A QUALIFIED,  EXPERIENCED EDUCATOR AS SUPERINTENDENT

REMOVE HIGH STAKES FROM STATE ASSESSMENT

MAKE RECRUITMENT AND SUPPORT FOR CERTIFIED TEACHERS A PRIORITY

PROVIDE FULL TRANSPARENCY AND REPORTING BY BESE AND
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

PROTECT STUDENT DATA PRIVACY

FACING THE CHALLENGES

1. The market-based model that is driving reform since the 2001 federal No Child Left Behind Act has not contributed to meaningful, lasting improvements in education. Privatization of our public school system will only diminish the educational opportunities to which every Louisiana child is constitutionally guaranteed. The goal of market-based reform has been to privatize our public schools and remove the community-based system and its democratic foundation. Privatization is profit driven. 
   
   
   The landscape of public education with its community schools and local democratic governance is under attack, diminishing participation, input and oversight by parents and tax-paying citizens. Societal transformation that will meet the needs of the future begins in the communities in which children and families live.
   
   
   The U.S. Department of Education should be prohibited from interfering with a state's constitutional rights and responsibilities in providing for a system of public education that serves every child. BESE needs to be prohibited from inviting federal interference through joining initiatives such as Race to the Top, National Standards, Standardized Curriculum, National Student Data Collection, ESEA Waivers and funding predicated on adherence to an agenda promulgated by the Federal Government and its privatization proponents. BESE has abdicated its responsibility to students, parents, teachers and their Louisiana constituency. 
   
   
   The U. S. Department of Education’s current “Blueprint for Reform” has only succeeded in developing a culture of failure measured by high stakes standardized tests as a false indicator of true learning.
   
   
   A punitive form of accountability for teachers, schools and school districts using a single high stakes standardized test has not contributed to the improvement of teaching.  It has prevented schools from developing innovative pedagogy grounded in proven, researched educational strategies that properly trained and certified Professional teachers are qualified to implement.  
   
   
   
   
   Teaching to the test along with the threat of school closures has resulted in a narrowing of the curriculum no longer designed to meet the individual needs of our children. The state’s method of measuring failure has only succeeded in proving that we cannot and should not standardize our children. As a result, the public's confidence has eroded. Failure should provide a lesson, not produce a punishment. 
   
   
   
   
   Learning is the product of a curious mind when challenged by teachers and parents and allowed to find answers and create solutions. A rigorous set of standards provides benchmarks, but teachers stimulate and facilitate critical thinking. Curiosity is the spark that ignites the fire of learning.  The measure of our children's curiosity, NOT a test score, will define the future of public education, of our country, and of our democratic republic.  
   
   
   
   
   Children are motivated by success and should be allowed to learn from, not be punished for their failures.  
   
   
   ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES
   
   
   It is my hope that a new BESE will move our Louisiana schools forward by:
   
   
    
   Ø Ensuring that the education of our children is managed under local democratic control so that parents, teachers and the public have a voice in developing policy.  
   
   
   Ø Ensuring the development of Louisiana Academic Standards and curriculum by highly qualified educators in a fully transparent process that requires public participation. 
   
   
   
   
   Ø Ending the use of high stakes standardized testing and its punitive form of accountability. 
   
   
   
   
   Ø Developing a constructive teacher, school and district accountability system that gains the public trust. 
   
   
   
   
   Ø Transforming the Louisiana Department of Education into an organization staffed by education professionals whose duty is to serve and support local school districts. 
   
   
   
   
   Ø Ensuring the appointment of a fully qualified, experienced educator to the position of Superintendent of Education. 
   
   
   
   
   Ø Guaranteeing that limited student data is collected under full parental disclosure, accessible to and permitted by parents, and used for limited necessary purposes that only benefit the children. 
   
   
      Ensuring that teachers are equipped with on-going professional developments    along with the tools and the training needed to guide their students.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Let’s provide the equitable, quality education our children deserve and that we need to ensure that your investments in our communities and the economy of Louisiana grow.   
                     
   Please offer your financial support for my campaign, along with your vote In October that will allow me to help transform BESE into a highly qualified leadership team responsive to the public that will move our public education system forward.
   
   
   Do not hesitate to contact me for more information about my goals for education or to schedule me to speak to the community or professional group of your choice.