In the News: July 21, 2013

In this edition of In the News:

  • OPSB Antics
  • Louisiana Headlines
  • National Education Stories
  • Local News
  • Shout Out

OPSB Antics

Orleans Parish School Board antics harken back to pre-Katrina politics
The Advocate – July 14, 2013
Infighting, public squabbles, charges of racism, and threats to put another superintendent on the chopping block – Is the OPSB returning to its old ways? Andrew Vanacore looks at the controversies surrounding today’s OPSB in this article from The Advocate. James Varney also examines this lamentable sense of déjà vu in an op ed for the Times Picayune. Continue reading

Good News About Cheating

The Lens recently reported on the number of test administration mistakes and instances of cheating found by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) from 2010 to 2012 for public schools in New Orleans. This information was provided to The Lens by the LDOE.

Educate Now! is very encouraged by the results.

The fact that only 130 tests out of hundreds of thousands given in New Orleans over three years were voided – due to student cheating, adult cheating, or administrative errors – is very good news.
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2013 EOC Results – High School Gains Continue

The state has released the End-of-Course (EOC) exam results for 2012-2013.

The percent of students proficient (scoring Excellent or Good) increased – and at a faster rate than the state. 

From 2011-12 to 2012-13, looking at all tests combined:

  • RSD-New Orleans and OPSB each gained 7 percentage points.
  • The state gained 4 points.

Percent of Students Proficient
(Scoring Excellent or Good)

District 2011-2012  2012-2013  Gain
RSD-New Orleans 31% 38% 7
OPSB 61% 68% 7
Louisiana 55% 59% 4

View a comparison of gains by district.

Continue reading