For Immediate Release
Contact: Steven W. Johnston or
              Sheila McCant
LA House of Representatives
Office of Public Information
Phone: (225) 342-9795
FAX: (225) 219-4380

September 17, 1999

McDONALD TO SIT ON BLUE RIBBON EDUCATION COMMISSION

    State Rep. Charles McDonald has been designated by state House Speaker Hunt Downer to serve on the new Blue Ribbon Commission on Teacher Quality. The commission is a cooperative effort between the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to study ways to improve teacher quality and instruction in Louisiana classrooms, both in secondary schools and in universities. The commission will recommend policies that will lead to a cohesive educational system designed to hold school districts and universities accountable for the aggressive recruitment, preparation, support and retention of quality school teachers who produce higher quality elementary and secondary students.

    "I am excited to be a part of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Teacher Quality and I am anxious to get started," said McDonald, D-Bastrop. "We have a severe shortage of teachers in this state and it will become greater in the years ahead. Something has to be done now, and the commission is an excellent first step."

    The commission will consist mainly of members designated by the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The resolution which requested the study also called for several statewide officials, such as the governor, Senate president and the House speaker to serve on the commission or to designate someone in their place. Speaker Downer chose McDonald.

    Downer said, "I designated Rep. McDonald to sit on this committee for several reasons. First, he is the House Education Committee chairman; second, he is committed to improving education in Louisiana; and third, this study was his idea and I believe that with his background in education and his commitment to our schools and students, he is a natural choice to serve on the commission."

    The main goals of the commission are to recommend better ways to recruit teachers in Louisiana, certify teachers based on performance, and preparing prospective teachers at the university level to meet higher expectations of elementary and secondary students. In addition, the commission will develop ideas to retain effective teachers in the state and provide them with quality professional development opportunities.

    "The colleges and universities are charged with producing quality teachers for our children. If we can improve quality on both ends at the same time, we will see vast improvement in Louisiana's educational system as a whole," said McDonald.

    The commission will present an update at a joint BESE and Board of Regents meeting in December 1999. Final recommendations will be presented to the two boards in April 2000.

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