In this edition of In the News:

• The Biggest Experiment
• The Price of Inaction
• Common Core Updates
• National Stories
• Louisiana Headlines
• Local News

The Biggest Experiment

Inside the Nation’s Biggest Experiment in School Choice
Wall Street Journal – September 29, 2013
The Wall Street Journal explores school choice in New Orleans, where parents are empowered but must work to be informed and to find the right fit for their children. A lot has been done to help families and to simplify the process, but it’s still laborious for some parents to navigate the new system of schools.

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In this edition of In the News:

• Impact of Change
• Louisiana Headlines
• National Stories
• What Do Parents Want?

Impact of Change

New Orleans’ summer of school change: Where did the students go?
Times-Picayune – August 30, 2013
This summer saw more changes in New Orleans public schools than in prior years – 4 closed, 3 converted to charters, 3 transferred to new charter operators, and 2 merged. The centralized OneApp system has made it easier to track where the impacted students enrolled this year. The new charter operators worked hard to retain existing enrollment, and most schools saw high rates of returning students.

For some New Orleans students, school choice means pre-dawn bus pickups
The Lens – August 26, 2013
Before Katrina, most students were assigned to their neighborhood public schools. Now that parents can choose a school, many are choosing schools in other parts of the city from where they live. Parents say long commutes are worth it when they find the right school for their child, but the early mornings and long days can be hard, especially for young students. Continue reading →