N.O. Unprepared for Immigrants
New Orleans’ charter school system ill-prepared for jump in Central American immigrants
Public schools in Orleans and Jefferson are facing an unprecedented wave of English-language learners (ELLs), resulting from the rise in immigration from Central American countries, with most students coming from Honduras. This year, an estimated 500 new immigrant students enrolled in New Orleans public schools, a 42% increase over last year’s ELL enrollment. Charter schools with large increases in ELLs are struggling to find Spanish speaking teachers and counselors to meet the needs of these new children and their families.
Measuring Progress
There’s a post-Katrina joie de vivre in New Orleans
The Los Angeles Times looks at the rebirth of New Orleans since Katrina. Signs of this revival include an increase in restaurants (from 809 in 2005 to more than 1,400 today), new music venues and nightclubs, new festivals and the growing success of old favorites, the expansion and renovation of our parks and zoos, and the revitalization of several key neighborhoods.
Hope, resentment in New Orleans’ charter school landscape
The Associated Press looks at the evolution of New Orleans schools since Katrina. They interview charter supporters who discuss school turnaround success – In 2013, only nine schools in New Orleans were failing, down from 78 before Katrina. They also interview charter critics who discuss parent frustrations over enrollment and transportation challenges that have come with school choice.
The New Orleans Experiment in School Reform: Lessons Learned
Scott Cowen, Tulane University’s 14th President, says the turnaround of New Orleans’ public schools – only 5.7% are now failing compared to 65% pre-Katrina – has been critical to the resurgence of the city as a whole. Cowen says the transition to a decentralized system of schools has not been without its problems, and it may not be the best choice for every district, but in New Orleans, it has fostered initiative, civic engagement, creativity, and innovation.
Common Core Updates
White: Common Core test plans back on track
A recent court ruling removed the Jindal administration’s suspension of two state contracts that the Department of Education planned to use for spring tests linked to Common Core. Superintendent John White says this ruling will allow officials to resume development of Common Core test plans that have been in the making for four years. Jindal’s Commissioner of Administration says this is not the final ruling on the issue and moving forward with the contracts now could cause problems in the future.
Gov. Jindal’s fight against Common Core is weak: Editorial
The Times-Picayune says Gov. Bobby Jindal’s fight against Common Core is getting a well-deserved pummeling in court. In this editorial, they say there was never any problem with the way the Department of Education planned to purchase the new tests, which will allow Louisiana students to be compared with children in other states. They also say the governor was the one abusing the procurement law by trying to use it to stop Common Core.
Here’s a little humor on this topic from Walt Handelsman.
ACT Results
U.S. College Readiness Lags in Math, Science
More than half of students who graduated high school in 2014 took the ACT, but just 26% of them met college readiness benchmarks in all four subjects: English, reading, math and science. Only 11% of African-American students and 18% of Hispanic students tested as college- and career-ready. Meeting one of ACT’s benchmarks, translates to a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in first-year college courses without the need for remediation.
Louisiana released its ACT score, which dropped again this year, from 19.5 in 2013 to 19.2 in 2014. (The national average is 21.) Superintendent John White says that the drop stems largely from a change in state policy that requires all high school juniors to take the ACT. The expanded pool of test takers lowered the state’s average, but it also increased the number of students eligible for a TOPS scholarship by over 6,000.
The ACT uses each student’s most recent score to calculate its average, but Louisiana uses each student’s best score for school accountability, as do colleges and TOPS. Louisiana’s “best score” average for the past two years remained steady at 19.1, despite the increase in the number of test takers.
National Stories
Ice bucket challenge may change nonprofit world
The ice bucket challenge is an amazing success, and it’s making other charities rethink how they connect with a younger generation of potential donors. Since the ALS Association began tracking the campaign’s progress on July 29, it has raised more than $53.3 million from 1.1 million new donors.
What’s behind the declining support for the Common Core?
According to an Education Next poll: support for Common Core dropped from 65% to 53% in just one year; Republicans are now almost evenly split on the issue; and teacher support dropped from 76% to 46%. The poll did find support increased significantly (from 53% to 68%) when the standards were described without the label “Common Core.” The poll also found the majority of respondents held misconceptions about Common Core, believing that it is a federal mandate, that the federal government would have access to individual student data, and that the federal government was going to require a specific curriculum and textbooks.
What the hell is going on at Success Academy?
New York’s latest round of state test results were released last week, and the biggest news is the scores posted by Success Academy, a network of 22 charter schools in New York City. Sixty-four percent of Success students met the new higher English standards under Common Core, compared to 29% citywide, and 90% scored proficient in math, compared to a city average of 30%. Fordham Institute says these results demand serious, unbiased study to figure out how they are being achieved, and if “all that glitters is gold,” how to replicate them.
For first time, minority students expected to be majority in U.S. public schools this fall
For the first time in U.S. history, ethnic and racial minorities are projected to make up the majority of students attending American public schools this fall. The U.S. Department of Education projects that the percentage of students who are non-white will increase to 50.3% in 2014 and 54.7% by 2022. Most of the growth is driven by U.S.-born Hispanic and Asian children.
Poll: Many Americans Don’t Understand Charter Schools But Favor Them Anyway
The Annual PDK/Gallup Poll of American attitudes toward public education shows there’s strong support for charter schools, even though many people don’t really understand how charters work. More than 60% of survey respondents said they favored charter schools, but when quizzed in more detail about their knowledge, often the majority got basic facts wrong. Many believed that charters are not public schools and that they can charge tuition.
Local News
Orleans Parish School Board back to the beginning with superintendent search; rejects both finalists
More than two years into its search for a school superintendent, the Orleans Parish School Board is back where it started after failing to approve either of its final candidates at its August 19 meeting. OPSB also didn’t discuss next steps with its search consultant or officially ask for more candidates.
Life shouldn’t be so dangerous for children in New Orleans: Editorial
The Times-Picayune says Louisiana is not doing everything it needs to do to prevent young people from being murdered. The homicide rate for young people in Louisiana is more than twice the national rate, and in New Orleans, eight children under 18 have been murdered so far this year. The Times-Picayune urges legislators look for any way they can help save lives, such as supporting locking devices on weapons. The paper also encourages citizens to check out Mayor Landrieu’s NOLA for Life program to find out ways to help children in our city.
Innovative New Orleans School Health Clinic Serves Students And Staff
Warren Easton is very excited about its new school-based health clinic. The clinic will offer full-time primary care and counseling services to students and staff throughout the school year, whenever the school is open.
Announcement
Tutors needed for Start The Adventure In Reading in New Orleans area
Start The Adventure In Reading, or STAIR, a nonprofit children’s literacy program, is seeking tutors for the fall 2014 semester. Tutor training will be held September 6 through October 20 at locations around the greater New Orleans area. Training takes two hours, and no experience is necessary. For more information, visit the STAIR website.