Author: Leslie Jacobs

The Return Model for School Governance

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In 2010, Educate Now! convened a Task Force to consider long-term governance alternatives for New Orleans public schools.  In a series of meetings over several months, the members of the Task Force worked on how best to restore local control of public education without imperiling the considerable academic progress since 2005.

The Task Force determined that New Orleans requires a unique governance structure to manage the new “system of schools” that has evolved since Katrina. The structure that the Task Force recommended is called the Return Model.

The Return Model:  A New Approach to Governance for Schools in Orleans Parish

Interviews:  Leslie Jacobs Explains the Return Model

Comment on the Return Model

The Return Model report lays out the governance system that the Task Force recommended.  Not every detail is attended to, and Educate Now! expects and invites community debate that will further refine the model.

 

Win Books for Students in Your Favorite Classroom!

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

 

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Educate Now! is giving students in one New Orleans
public school classroom a shopping spree at the Maple Street Book Shop!

Educate Now! is sending one lucky New Orleans public school classroom (transportation included) to the Maple Street Book Shop where each child will pick out a book of their very own to take home!

Do you want to choose the winning classroom?

Enter Educate Now!’s Share to Win competition, and if you win, you pick the lucky classroom.

To enter, go to www.sharetowinnola.com and register. Then use the website to share the contest information by email, Facebook or Twitter. The website will generate your own, unique Share to Win link to send to your friends. If you get the most number of people to sign up, you win.  So, share your link and urge your friends and colleagues to register. Be the one to pick the lucky classroom.

For complete contest terms and conditions, click here.

Educate Now! wants you to Share to Win for New Orleans public schools!

In the News: A Clipping Service – March 21, 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • The Miracle of New Orleans
  • New Orleans Charter School Performance
  • LA Board of Regents’ Report UNO, SUNO and Delgado
  • U.S. Outnumbers Rest of World in High (and Low) Achievers
  • The Focus is on Teachers
  • Detroit: 41 Charters in Six Months?
  • It’s That Time Again

The Miracle of New Orleans

Educate Now! wants to share some good news about New Orleans and its recovery.

The New Orleans Miracle
Site Selection – March 10, 2011
This positive article on New Orleans, published by an international magazine for expansion planning decision-makers (CEOs, facility planners, corporate real estate executives), talks about the region’s recovery, growth, and tremendous economic potential. Continue reading →

In the News: A Clipping Service – March 7, 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • Sen. Landrieu Calls N.O. Schools a Model for Reform
  • A Childless Recovery
  • Stopgap Bill Cuts Education Spending
  • Charter News
  • Debate on Personnel Practices Continues
  • A Unique Approach to Integration
  • Tools for Success
  • New Orleans News

Sen. Landrieu Calls N.O. Schools a Model for Reform

Sen. Mary Landrieu Calls For N.O. Schools to Serve as Model for National Education Reform
The State Column – March 7, 2011
According to Senator Mary Landrieu, the transformation of New Orleans public schools following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita should serve as a national model for education reform because we are transforming each and every school to be highly accountable and high-performing. Continue reading →

In the News: A Clipping Service – February 7, 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • Taking Stock of Education Reform
  • Courts Weigh In
  • State and Local News
  • Announcements

Taking Stock of Education Reform

A Chance to Make History
Huntington News – February 1, 2011
In her new book A Chance to Make History TFA founder Wendy Kopp goes beyond TFA to explore the chronic problem of underperforming schools that fail students. The book features inspirational success stories, highlights New Orleans’ groundbreaking school reform efforts, and offers realistic solutions that should help inform the national debate. Note: Educate Now! congratulates TFA on its 20th anniversary. Continue reading →

In the News: A Clipping Service – January 24, 2010

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • Tough Economic Times Impact K-12 Schools
  • Tackling Barriers to Academic Achievement
  • How Does Louisiana Measure Up?
  • Other Charter News
  • Orleans Study Predicts Continued Growth in K-12 Enrollment

Tough Economic Times Impact K-12 Schools

Recession’s Toll on K-12 Budgets Both Wide and Deep
Education Week – January 13, 2011
Louisiana is not alone in facing budget shortfalls. Across the nation, districts are dealing with budget cuts, increasing class sizes, and cutting programs. Continue reading →

In the News: A Clipping Service – January 10, 2010

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • New Orleans in the News
  • Despite High School Diploma, Many Students Fail Military Exam
  • National Studies of Note: Literacy, Bullying, Teacher Effectiveness
  • Turnaround Success, and Failure
  • Creative Solution to the Rising Cost of Benefits
  • New School Lunch Bill
  • From the Louisiana Department Of Education Continue reading →

Top 5 Stories of 2010, Top 5 Wishes for 2011

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

Top 5 Stories of 2010

1.  New Orleans public school students (RSD+OPSB) ranked #1 in the state for improved student achievement – both for the year and for the 2005-10 period!

2.  FEMA announces a $1.8 billion settlement for rebuilding and repairing New Orleans school facilities.

FEMA Awards $1.8 Billion to New Orleans Schools for Construction, Renovation Projects
Times-Picayune – August 25, 2010

School Facilities Master Plan – Adopted August 2008

Latest Draft of RSD Building Assignment Recommendations – Revised December 2010

Continue reading →

Orleans Public School Enrollment Continues to Climb with Increase in Diversity and Charter Choice

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

The Louisiana Department of Education has released the student enrollment data for the 2010-11 school year.

The remarkable gains in student academic performance since 2005 are accompanied by a steady increase in student enrollment, from 35,995 students in 2008, and 38,051 in 2009, to 39,877 this year. 

The data reflect that the student population is more diverse, with the percentage of non-African American students growing from 6.6% before Katrina to 11.3% this year.

Additionally, the percentage of students attending charter schools increased sizably, from 61% last year to 71% this year.

The most significant takeaway from this data is that as student enrollment continues to increase, schools are slowly becoming more integrated and parents are overwhelmingly choosing charter schools.

Continue reading →