Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1984-04-26

Duration: 00:24:54

Subjects: SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION | Dow Chemical Company | Education | Louisiana. State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education | High school students

Contributors:

• Ekings, Robyn Host
• Johnson, Ken Host
• Clausen, Tom Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker
• Fourrier, Felician Interviewee
• Steimel, Ed Interviewee
• Bankston, Jesse Speaker
• Pellegrin, Jack Speaker
• Slacks, Lorraine Interviewee
• Ducote, Jackie Interviewee
• Sinitiere, David Interviewee
• Landry, Claire Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” from April 26, 1984, features Robyn Ekings and Ken Johnson hosting a daily legislative report on the 1984 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Johnson reports on the day’s headlines, including: an interview with Superintendent of Education Tom Clausen on his opposition to Governor Edwin Edwards’ plan to make the Superintendent of Education an appointive position; the Federal Trade Commission tentatively approving Standard Oil of California’s takeover of Gulf Oil; and Governor Edwin Edwards announcing Dow Chemical’s plans to build a coal gasification plant in Plaquemine. Next, Ekings reports on the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (BESE) approval of a compromise plan to implement tougher high school graduation requirements. Her report includes BESE Board members Jesse Bankston and Jack Pellegrin debating the plan, as well as interviews with Lorraine Slacks, the president of the Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE), and Jackie Ducote, the vice president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI). Lastly, Ekings and Johnson conduct an in-studio interview with Brother David Sinitiere and Dr. Claire Landry, two members of the BESE Board. They discuss the new high school graduation requirements.