Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2009-03-25

Duration: 00:57:54

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Education | High school dropouts | Truancy

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Freeman, Craig Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Smith, John Warner Interviewee
• Jackson, Richey Interviewee
• Nola-Ganey, Donna Interviewee
• Weimer, Yvonne Interviewee
• Fannin, Jim Interviewee
• Smith, Billie Interviewee
• Holmes, Ronnie Interviewee
• Breaux, Carolyn Speaker
• Creed, Aline Speaker
• Vining, Marie Speaker
• Smith, Arlene Speaker
• Woods, Regina Speaker
• Dimaio, Edna Speaker
• Darcey, Madeline Speaker
• Hawkins, Edward Speaker
• Coleman, Diane Speaker
• Jones, Shantell Speaker
• Rodrigue, Bianca Speaker
• Lenoir, Ronell Speaker
• Young, John Speaker
• Keblys, Kestutis Speaker
• Pastorek, Paul Panelist
• Nichols, Kristy Panelist
• Monaghan, Steve Panelist
• Jackson, Richey Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from March 25, 2009, features Craig Freeman leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on Louisiana’s high school dropout rate. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: John Warner Smith, CEO of Education’s Next Horizon; Richey Jackson, director of the Bossier Parish and Webster Parish Truancy Assessment and Service Center; Donna Nola-Ganey of the Louisiana Department of Education; Yvonne Weimer of the Ascension Parish School Board; State Representative Jim Fannin; Billie Smith, a teacher at McKinley High School; and Ronnie Holmes, a student at Delgado Community College. The audience members then discuss the reasons behind Louisiana’s high school dropout problem. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek; Secretary Kristy Nichols of the Louisiana Department of Social Services; Steve Monaghan, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers; and Richey Jackson, the director of the Bossier Parish and Webster Parish Truancy Assessment and Service Center. They discuss: the importance of early childhood education; truancy; moving to in-school suspensions; implementing best practices around the state; community involvement; alternative settings for disruptive students; and identifying at-risk students. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Craig Freeman