Author: Leslie Jacobs

In the News: A Clipping Service – July 18, 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • No Excuses for Reformers
  • NEA Takes Stand Against TFA
  • State of Public Education in New Orleans
  • Lessons Learned from Louisiana
  • Fallout from Atlanta Cheating Scandal
  • In Other News
  • Voucher Program Follow-up

No Excuses for Reformers

No, Seriously: No Excuses
New York Times – July 7, 2011
In a thoughtful essay, Paul Tough challenges the education reform movement. He acknowledges that turning around failing schools is hard, as is educating students who are years behind their grade level. But it’s not impossible. Still, some “no excuses” reformers are now giving excuses. To bring reforms to scale, Paul Tough argues the education reform movement must acknowledge the whole range of factors that hold poor students back and make providing low-income students with a robust system of academic, emotional and psychological support part of their reform agenda.

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Voucher Program in Trouble

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

Voucher Program Faltering: Accountability and Performance Standards Needed

Educate Now! analyzed student test scores from voucher schools and compared them to New Orleans Recovery School District (RSD) schools. We found that for the second year in a row, students participating in the voucher program performed worse than students in the RSD!

STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Comparing 3rd, 4th and 5th graders

  • Statewide:  75% performed on grade level (Basic or above)
  • RSD schools: 49% performed on grade level
  • Voucher schools: Only 38% performed on grade level

Continue reading →

In the News: A Clipping Service – July 5, 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • Facilities Master Plan Revised
  • New Orleans Receives National Attention
  • The Question of Academic Gains
  • In the National Spotlight
  • Louisiana Education News

Facilities Master Plan Revised

New Orleans School Construction Blueprint Revised
The Times-Picayune – June 30, 2011
Education officials have released a revised School Facilities Master Plan, the blueprint for spending the remainder of almost $2 billion in federal aid set aside to rebuild and renovate city schools. Continue reading →

In the News: A Clipping Service – June 22, 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • Louisiana Education News
  • RSD News
  • Examining the Education Reformers
  • Charter News
  • Latest Education Research
  • Proposed Governance Model in the News

Louisiana Education News

46% of Schools Get ‘D,’ ‘F’ in New System
The Advocate – June 15, 2011
Nearly half of Louisiana’s public schools would get a “D” or “F” if a controversial school grading system that begins later this year were in effect today. Continue reading →

Senior Graduation Rate Rises Again

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

Since 2005, the percent of seniors graduating has risen from 79% to 94% –
a 15 point increase!

In the spring of 2005, the last year all of the schools were under the Orleans Parish School Board, only 79% of New Orleans seniors graduated. We tied Madison Parish for the worst record in the state.

This year 94% of seniors graduated – a 4 percentage point increase from 2010 and 15 points from 2005.

What does this mean in real terms? This improvement since 2005 means that an additional 333 of our 2,218 seniors were able to walk across the stage, receive their diploma and celebrate their success. Continue reading →

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 →

In the News: A Clipping Service – April 18, 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • New Orleans in the National News
  • New Superintendent for the RSD
  • KIPP Study Causes Controversy
  • Local Education Stories
  • National Education News
  • State News

New Orleans in the National News

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Says He’s Inspired by New Orleans Schools
The Times-Picayune – April 8, 2011
During his visit to New Orleans, Secretary Duncan called New Orleans the most improved school district in the country and our progress since Katrina “remarkable” and “stunning.”

Continue reading →