‘Career diploma’ main change for education this session

• By WILL SENTELL
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jun 27, 2009 - Page: 1A

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With one exception, the 2009 session of the Legislature did little to change public schools in Louisiana.

State aid to public schools was frozen. Four bills to revamp local school boards were rejected.

Another push to boost grade point requirements for high school athletes failed.

School bills that won final approval generally focused on narrow problems.

“Around the edges,” said Barry Erwin, president of the Council for A Better Louisiana, nonprofit group involved in state issues.

“I can’t say this was a big, pro-education session,” Erwin said.

Much of that stemmed from state financial problems, which shaped the two-month session that ended Thursday.

State revenue is expected to drop by $1.3 billion for the financial year that begins July 1.

Basic state aid to public schools will be frozen for the first time in 12 years.

But the fact it was not sliced was described as a victory of sorts.

“For them to maintain what they have is a pretty big accomplishment,” Erwin said of public school aid.

One exception to a session of little change is Senate Bill 259, which would offer public high school students a new, work-ready curriculum to try to trim Louisiana’s dropout rate.

“If we can save 100 children or 200 or 1,000, what a great thing that would be,” said Senate Education Committee Chairman Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa.