Louisiana Public Schools Score Very Low In National Report

It is my opinion that we value teachers incorrectly in America. This is a country where we overpay mediocre ball players and over hyped celebrities and underpay those people who truly have the future of our country in their hands. That being said, according to Education Week's annual report, what we are doing in Louisiana is not working.

According to that report, Louisiana now ranks 44th among the 50 states for quality of education. That is actually pretty good news since the state has traditionally been 49th or 50th in this same report in previous years.  House Education Chairman Stephen Carter believes a series of reforms passed in 2012 has started to make a difference in the states educational system.

"Those are the types of things we are trying to implement to give everybody an opportunity to receive a quality education with a good teacher and a good principal," - Stephen Carter

Carter's remarks were reported by the Louisiana Radio Network and those changes he referenced were set in place to reward teachers and administrators who performed well with higher pay.

Another bright spot in the Education Week Report is that while Louisiana's K-12th grade system is barely above the passing mark, the state's early education programs received a B- rating. Many educators believe with more funding these programs could achieve an even higher rating by next year. Steve Carter said,

"And that's where the stumbling block comes in for us to be in an even better position with our early childhood program, is dollars to implement some of these programs,"

It is very unfair to say all Louisiana Public Schools are less than average. In Acadiana we are the home to many outstanding and excellent public schools. The teachers at these facilities are incredible. The staff and administration is beyond reproach yet these good schools will have their names dragged through the gutter because other school systems in the state can't figure it out.

If you don't think this matters I can tell you from personal experience that our efforts to get our son enrolled in a prestigious out-of-state university were hampered by the fact that he was educated in Louisiana. Fortunately for us, he did very well on the college entrance exams and other entry requirements. This demonstrated to that institution that he was a deserving student and he was admitted.

There are plenty of smart, bright, eager, and intelligent students being educated by amazing teachers in our state. Regardless of what this national report card indicates.  It's just a shame that in some parts of our state the educational process is hampered by lack of funding, lack of talent, and an attitude of apathy.