Proposal to Change TOPS Rejected

AP reports that a Louisiana commission on streamlining higher education rejected a recommendation to change TOPS. The suggestion was to cap the program and direct more funds to need-based aid. The sponsor of the proposal, Daved longanecker apparently points out the program is something "all the white folks get."

The article indicates an analysis by The Advocate indicates that 38% of the TOPS students come from homes earning at least $100,000 per year. To me, this fact is irrelevant.

On this one, I concur with the rejection of this proposal.

Instead, I would much prefer to see more emphasis in our community on competing for TOPS benefits rather than changing the rules.

Now to be sure, if blacks start earning most of that TOPS money, you can be sure the rules will be changed. But, let's first compete for the dollars no different than we compete for athletic scholarships.

Academic Excellence must become at least as important, if not more so, than Athletic Excellence.

Education Financial Information for Louisiana

Many conversations regarding school performance center around resources. The question of financial equality (or rather financial inequality) is inescapable. I am therefore creating a link to the Louisiana Division of Education Finance for easy a quick reference. The link is as follows:

http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/finance/home.html

Using this link, you can quickly get into critical financial reports and other financial information.