A Return on Investment

Offering top-rate public education is not only our duty to our children, it's sound economic development. Education is an investment to provide the skills, leadership and ability our workforce will need to remain competitive in the 21st century.

Right now, that investment isn't paying off in Louisiana. Here's a snapshot of where our public classrooms stand:

• Louisiana public schools rank 48th in the nation for K-12 achievement.
• Our students' "Chance for Success" ranks 47th nationally.
• One-third of our students don't perform up to grade level standards.
• The state ranks last among fourth graders who read at a proficient level.
• Our dropout rate is among the highest in the nation, while our graduation rate is among the lowest.
• Louisiana got an F in K-12 achievement in Education Week magazine's 2012 ranking.
• The state's own education department gave half of Louisiana schools a D or F in 2011.
• Only 13 percent of our high school graduates earn a 2- or 4-year degree within six years.

More money isn't the answer. Average teacher salaries in Louisiana rank 24th nationwide and near the top of Southern states. Per public school pupil, Louisiana spends close to the national average. The fact is numerous problems throughout the system have contributed to the deplorable state of public education, not the least of which has been protecting the status quo.

Recent public opinion polls show an overwhelming number of Louisiana residents are ready for serious education reform, and I agree. That's why I've started Your Child, Our Future, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit grassroots organization seeking comprehensive reform in Louisiana's public schools. Our members include voices from every background and corner of the state who believe that every child deserves the highest quality education.

Your Child, Our Future advocates reforms that attract the best and brightest educators to our schools, while building a system based on accountability. We're seeking several changes that we feel are crucial, including:

• Reforming teacher tenure. The current system virtually guarantees teachers lifetime employment regardless of their effectiveness.
• Giving school principals the authority to remove teachers who are determined to be ineffective.
• Setting term limits for school board members, so parents and those within schools have a greater voice in how they are run.
• Supporting a new evaluation system in place for teachers, principals and superintendents. Known as COMPASS, it requires annual evaluations rather than every three years, and half the evaluation score will come from students' academic progress.

To find out more about Your Child, Our Future, visit www.YourChildOurFuture.com. You can sign up for email news alerts and learn about our complete legislative package.

If you're concerned about the quality of public education in Louisiana, I urge you to get involved. Contact Gov. Jindal, members of the House and Senate education committee and your local legislator, and let them know how important reform is.