Superintendents to discuss reform recommendations with White

Just days after leaving a coalition of teachers unions and others who are critical of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s plan for education reform, the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents has released its own list of suggestions for strengthening education reform. Michael Faulk, association president, says the suggestions pertain to ensuring equity and accountability as the state establishes policies on school choice, teacher evaluations and funding. “The state’s superintendents want to work closely with our state leadership and offer our perspective on needed improvements, so that the measures taken can have the greatest impact on student achievement across the board,” says Faulk, who also is the current superintendent of the Central Community School System. Faulk says Baton Rouge and Northshore area superintendents will discuss the recommendations with newly appointed Louisiana schools Superintendent John White over lunch Wednesday in Central. Superintendents from New Orleans and the River Parish region will meet with White on Thursday, and a group from the southwest areas of the state will meet with him Friday. The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents represents a total of 70 educators statewide. The association announced last week that it would distance itself from the Coalition for Louisiana Public Education, which includes teachers unions, school board members and others who have been outspoken critics of parts of Jindal’s public education reform plan.