Month: May 2011

In the News: A Clipping Service – May 31, 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • Reforms Face Challenge
  • Test Scores Follow-up
  • What’s Working in Education Reform
  • What’s Not Working in Education Reform
  • RSD in the News
  • State Superintendent Debate
  • Teacher Wins Bookstore Shopping Spree for Class

Reforms Face Challenge

Opponents of New Orleans School Reform Gaining Ground, Supporters
The Times-Picayune – May 23, 2011
Opponents of former State Superintendent Pastorek’s education reform agenda are organizing statewide for the upcoming BESE elections. This coalition opposes reforms such as the Recovery School District, charter schools and evaluating teachers based on student test scores. Continue reading →

2011 test scores are in, and we rock! …. Again!!

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

Great News!

Student performance showed robust improvement for the 4th consecutive year.

  • Significantly more students passed the high-stakes LEAP tests
  • In cumulative gains (over four years) the RSD is again #1, and OPSB is #4
  • More students met the State proficiency goal of Basic or above
  • 8th grade performance soared

Educate Now! analyzed the test scores of all schools under the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) and the Recovery School District (RSD), both traditional and charter, to assess the performance of public school students in Orleans Parish.

Continue reading →

The Money Myth

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

 

The Money Myth is the belief that the RSD in New Orleans receives significantly more public money to educate its students than other districts do.  Not true.


MYTH 1

Jack Loup, president of the St. Tammany Parish School Board, said State Superintendent Pastorek directs about $13,000 per student to RSD schools in New Orleans, compared to $5,900 per student in the St. Tammany school system.

FACT

New Orleans RSD schools receive less state funding per pupil than St. Tammany Parish schools. New Orleans RSD direct-run schools receive $4,342 per pupil. St. Tammany schools receive $5,289.

FACT

New Orleans RSD schools receive less state funding per pupil than the state average. New Orleans RSD direct-run schools receive $4,342 per pupil. The state average is $4,999.

In the News: A Clipping Service – May 10, 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • State Superintendent Paul Pastorek is Resigning
  • New RSD Superintendent Signs 3-year Contract
  • Local Education News
  • National Education News
  • Forbes Ranks N.O. Metro Area #2 for Jobs

State Superintendent Paul Pastorek is Resigning

Officials Say Schools Chief Quitting
Associated Press – May 10, 2011
Sources close to Paul Pastorek say he is stepping down as State Superintendent of Education. Continue reading →