Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2012-11-28

Duration: 00:57:57

Subjects: Education | High school dropouts | Filmed panel discussions

Contributors:

• Sanford, Shauna Host
• Scott, Robert Travis Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Goodson, Casey Interviewee
• Cotton, Angela Interviewee
• White, John Interviewee
• Ross, Sara Interviewee
• Muller, Leo Interviewee
• Cooper, Destiny Interviewee
• Bradford, Ken Panelist
• Guin, Cecile Panelist
• Monaghan, Steve Panelist
• Smith, John Warner Panelist
• Adams, Milton Speaker
• Young, Samantha Speaker
• LaCour, Mark Speaker
• Gensler, Patrick Speaker
• Courville, Keith Speaker
• Anderson, Deborah Speaker

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from November 28, 2012, features Shauna Sanford and Robert Travis Scott leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the efforts to lower Louisiana’s high school dropout rate. A background report on high school dropout intervention programs precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with: Casey Goodson, a teacher at Live Oak Middle School; Angela Cotton, a teacher at Vidalia Junior High School; Superintendent of Education John White; Sara Ross, City Year team leader; Leo Muller of Choices Education Group; and Destiny Cooper, a teacher at McKinley High School. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: Ken Bradford of the Louisiana Department of Education; Dr. Cecile Guin of the LSU School of Social Work; Steve Monaghan of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers; and John Warner Smith of Education’s Next Horizon. They discuss: the Louisiana Legislature’s goal of an 80% graduation rate by 2014; the challenges faced by students; online learning programs; career and vocational education; the role of the business community; the importance of early childhood and middle school intervention; community partnerships; the importance of parental involvement; programs aimed at rural schools; and accommodating gifted and talented students. This program is a part of the American Graduate initiative.