ICYMI: In the News

In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) … Your mini news clippings

What’s Next for Education in Louisiana?

John Bel Edwards is skeptical of Common Core, charter schools, and vouchers and has the support of many who want to see changes in Louisiana’s education policy. But U.S. News and World Report says the election of Edwards doesn’t doom school choice in Louisiana because charters and vouchers have engendered deep buy-in from parents and created unique coalitions.

A recent national report applauds Louisiana for its teacher evaluation system because it uses teacher ratings to recognize and encourage effective instruction as well as prepare and value highly effective teachers. Locally, the evaluation system has been criticized for negatively affecting teacher performance and morale. Editor’s note: Expect John Bel Edwards to include changes in teacher evaluation and VAM as part of his legislative agenda.

National Stories

Our nation’s current debate about charter schools resembles the tale of the blind men and the elephant. Many in the debate cling to a singular aspect of charter schools while failing to see the whole picture.

Enrollment in charter schools has grown by 62% in the past five years. More than 2.9 million students in 43 states and the District of Columbia are enrolled in charters.

Here’s a look at the proposed new Elementary and Secondary Education Act (called Every Student Succeeds) in a simple, color-coded table.

A new study finds teachers have a racial bias when grading students, rating low-performing minority students more positively than their performance warrants and low-performing white students more negatively. Among high-performing students, the reverse is true, with whites rated more positively and minorities more negatively.

Local News

In an op-ed for The Lens, Folwell Dunbar argues that school choice since Katrina has resulted in break-the-mold schools and strategies, some successful and some not.

New Orleans Magazine profiles Rose Drill-Peterson, who recently retired as director of the Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools after nearly five decades working for public schools in New Orleans.

Nine months after settling a class-action suit, Louisiana and New Orleans still haven’t hired a special education monitor to keep a watch on schools.

BESE renewed the contracts of seven charter high schools. New Orleans Military and Maritime Academy was renewed for 10-years, and Joseph Clark Preparatory and ReNEW Accelerated were renewed for three years. The NET, Crescent Leadership, Carver Collegiate Academy, and Carver Prep received one-year extensions and will be considered for renewal next year.

Here’s an overview of how to apply to the eight non-OneApp schools, including Ben Franklin, Lusher and NOCCA.