That's Professional

Teachers rallied in Baton Rouge this morning, fighting against our Governor's education plan.

Teachers against the proposed education reform bill are rallied at the Capitol. Some arrived on the steps of the building as early as 6 a.m.

Of course, you'll note that today is Wednesday, a school day in Louisiana. Teachers rallying on the steps of the Capitol while school should be in session smacks of unprofessionalism. The students weren't served today while all those fine teachers were rallying at the Capitol. Some school districts simply shut down because of all the teachers that were out today.

A few school districts across the state decided to cancel classes Wednesday due to a high number of teacher absences. Many teachers told administrators they would not be at school because they were planning to attend a rally on the steps of the Capitol to express opposition to Jindal's plan.

Well, of course, they can't actually be expected to be at the school, teaching kids. Parents had to make other arrangements so they could have someone watch their kids while they went to work.

I'm no fan of Bobby Jindal, but the teachers lost me today, taking a day off and putting everyone in a bind. I note that the teachers at my school were at work today, teaching kids. Just like they were supposed to be.

Education reform is a conversation that we need to have in Louisiana. There is too much money spent on kids who don't want to be there. While access to a public education seems to be considered a right, it certainly makes no sense to throw money at schools who aren't performing. It makes no sense to pay teachers who don't come to work, it certainly makes no sense to subsidize kids who tend to look on school as purely a social event, and it makes no damn sense to ask teachers to put up with kids who don't put forth the effort. That's the conversation we need to have in Louisiana.