Caddo Middle Magnet 8th Grader Emily Rose Criticizes BESE Chairman Chas Roemer

KEEL News has received this letter that Caddo Middle School student Emily Rose wrote to the President of BESE.

Dear Mr. Roemer

I am Emily Rose. If you don't remember me, I was the 13 year old girl that spoke at the BESE meeting in Baton Rouge on Thursday, March 5, 2015, telling my story about how my teacher called me a quitter and a loser for opting out of the PARCC assesment. There seems to be some confusion on my request on Thursday. Whether that was my error or you simply not listening I do not know. When I told my story I never asked for you to fix what that teacher had done. I asked of you to not assign zeros to those who are opting out of the PARCC assessment. The reason my teacher said those things was because he was scared of how my opting out would affect the school. And he is not the only teacher who has said hurtful things to students opting out. I am not the only student who has experienced a teacher or other school staff member bulling them for their decision. Also, I can assure you that this teacher did say those things, for it seems you had doubts and questioned my integrity on March 6, when you said "nobody condones what that teacher may or may not have done." I looked at that as you calling me untrustworthy, which I do not appreciate. You had the opportunity to discuss this with me yet you chose not to acknowledge my request. I would also like to bring attention to the fact that you said "that has nothing to do with a single member on this board." In order to make sure I eliminate the confusion I am including a link to the meetings for your reference. http://bese.louisiana.gov/meetings/live-streaming-and-video-archive

In case you forgot or are unaware of the board's responsibility I have provided the link to the BESE website, decsribing the responsibilities of the BESE board. Which include:

"BESE's Responsibility

Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education provides leadership and creates policies for education that expand opportunities for children, empower families and communities, and advance Louisiana in an increasingly competitive global market. For BESE's official mission statement, goals, and philosophy, click here.

The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) was established by the Louisiana Constitution with the responsibility for governing all Louisiana public schools within the following categories:

Elementary schools
Secondary schools (middle and high schools)
Special schools for the deaf, blind, and physically handicapped
Educational units in the state’s correctional institutions and mental facilities (Special School Districts 1 and 2).
To meet this responsibility, BESE has the authority to create policies that govern the statewide operations of public and non-public schools, to administer the budget for educational programs and services at those schools, and to conduct administrative hearings to resolve any conflict concerning its policies and actions. For a more detailed listing of BESE’s powers and duties, click here. "

Since you still feel that it is not your position to provide assistance to students, schools, and teachers who are seeking guidance, I ask that you provide me with the appropriate authority that can protect our schools, otherwise will be bringing my concerns to the state legislature in April.

Sincerely,

Emily Rose
You can hear more from Emily Monday morning on KEEL at 6:35.

8th Grade, Caddo Middle Magnet