Parents and teachers demand audit of Saint Tammany gifted program amid concerns

During a recent meeting of the STPPS Committee as a Whole focused on Human Resources and Education, significant concerns were raised regarding the safety of teachers and the effectiveness of the district's gifted program.

One of the most pressing issues discussed was the alarming rise in violence against teachers. A committee member called for an external audit of the risk management department, citing a concerning drop in reported incidents and emphasizing the need for better protection for educators and students alike. The member stressed that the district must prioritize the safety and well-being of its staff, stating, "We are not serving our teachers. We are not protecting our students." This call to action highlights the urgent need for the district to implement initiatives that ensure a safer educational environment.

In addition to safety concerns, the meeting also addressed the challenges facing the gifted program. Parents and educators expressed dissatisfaction with the current testing processes used to identify gifted students, noting that many children who qualify through private evaluations are being overlooked by the district's methods. Concerns were raised about the quality of the curriculum, which some believe is overly standardized and fails to meet the diverse needs of gifted learners. A retired teacher urged the board to conduct an audit of the gifted program to identify necessary improvements, emphasizing that the program has significantly diminished in quality over the past two years.

The discussions at this meeting underscore the critical need for the district to address both the safety of its educators and the effectiveness of its educational programs. As the committee moves forward, the outcomes of these discussions could lead to essential reforms that enhance the educational experience for both teachers and students in the community.