State Issues

With so much focus on National issues there hasn't been much attention on Louisiana.
The State budget has been passed with some of the cuts made by the Govenor to Education and Healthcare reinstated. The inital cuts made were too deep. I think the Govenor did this on purpose so that after the budget was reworked it would be something the state could afford. Good job Govenor Jindal!
The Govenor also signed the alternate diploma plan.

Alternate high school diploma plan goes to Jindal by The Associated Press Tuesday June 23, 2009, 3:30 PM BATON ROUGE -- The Legislature has approved a plan to create a new diploma and curriculum for public high school students. A unanimous Senate vote today sent the bill by Sen. Robert Kostelka, a Monroe Republican, to Gov. Bobby Jindal. The governor has said he supports it. The legislation is aimed at reducing the number of high school and middle school dropouts. The new curriculum would be less geared toward college preparation, and more toward teaching students technical skills for blue collar jobs. National education advocates have condemned the plan, objecting to a provision that makes it easier for students to get past standardized tests in eighth grade. They have said students who take the new curriculum will emerge from high school with inadequate English and math skills.

E's View

This plan is controversal. As one who has lived where there is a similar education system. I can tell you this, It works.
It gives kids with either no interest in attending college, or lack aptitude to go to college a chance to learn a trade that will give them skills to make a good living. They will learn the level of math and english that is appropriate to the vocational program they are in. It is certainly better than kids becoming frustrated and dropping out of school. We need productive citizens that won't have to rely on government assistance. This is a step in the right direction.