Attention Jan Brewer - Bobby Jindal has signed into law a method for getting a bigger bang for fewer education bucks!  

According to the Monroe, LA, News-Star: 

The new law allows eighth grade students who don't pass the mathematics and English sections of the LEAP (Louisiana Educational Assessment Program) test and who are age 15 or will turn 15 in the upcoming school year to move to the ninth grade. It reverses state law.

"This gives us an opportunity to reach students who might otherwise slip through the cracks," Jindal said.

"Only 5 percent of students who are on a GED pathway ever earn one. We know this is an endless cycle we must break."

Jindal said more than 16,000 students, including 20 percent of those who pass the LEAP, drop out of school each year.

"The status quo is not acceptable," the Republican governor said.

The program is designed to give students skills to enter the work force after high school or move on to a technical or community college.

Jindal said training more students for vocational work will help entice businesses to choose Louisiana.

"Seventy percent of companies considering moving to Louisiana say work force is one of their top two priorities," Jindal said.

Such posturing!  Critics say the dumbing down of an already pretty dumb student population will reduce college admissions but Bobby hasn't taken on LSU admission standards yet!

Think of it - a photo of Jan Brewer embracing Russell Pearce on the front page on next Thursday's AZ Republic - after finding a way to balance the budget while increasing high school graduations and drawing startup companies away from Louisiana!

It's a Republican's wet dream!  Watch out, Michael Crow!

http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20090703/NEWS01/907020319/1002/rss01