Author: Leslie Jacobs

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 →

In the News: A Clipping Service – December 14, 2010

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • 2010 Student Enrollment Data Analyzed
  • Report Shows Race to the Top Scoring Was Flawed
  • Firing Decisions Based on Teacher Tenure, Not Effectiveness
  • Comparing Teacher Effectiveness in High- and Low-Poverty Schools
  • Focusing on College and Career Readiness
  • Michelle Rhee Will Lobby for Students Rights
  • Gates Foundation Brings Charters and Traditional Schools Together

Continue reading →

News Alert: The Final Vote

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

BESE held its full Board meeting today. The final votes are as follows:

1.  Pastorek’s Revised Plan for Return of Schools was approved.

2.   BESE approved a new letter grading system for schools, which will go into effect in 2011. The letter grades will replace the current star ratings. The Department of Education estimates over 500 schools will have D rating. Continue reading →

News Alert: BESE Votes Are In

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

After a 13-hour, marathon day of meetings, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has approved the following items in committee. While these votes are preliminary – each committee recommendation will be considered by the full Board on Thursday – items recommended by committees are almost always approved by the full Board.

1.  Pastorek’s Return of School Proposal:  Approved

The Recovery School District Committee approved Superintendent Pastorek’s Revised Plan for Return of Schools by a vote of 4 to 2. Continue reading →

In the News: A Clipping Service – November 17, 2010

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

In this edition of In the News:

  • What Do New Orleans Voters Think about Return of Schools?
  • It’s Not Too Late to Comment on Pastorek’s Plan
  • Bethune Elementary Selected for Prestigious Dispelling Myths Award
  • Governor Diverts Education Jobs Funding Promised to School Districts
  • Louisiana’s AP Pass Rate Second to Last
  • Black Male Achievement is a National Crisis
  • Educate Now!’s “Facts About Public Schools” Available Online Continue reading →