Author: Leslie Jacobs

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 →

News Alert: School Performance Scores are Out

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

New Orleans Schools Show Great Improvement

The Louisiana Department of Education has just released the 2010 School Performance Scores (SPS) and District Performance Scores (DPS).

So, how did New Orleans schools do in 2010?

 1.  The percentage of failing schools continues to decline. Continue reading →

Myth 5: RSD Charters are not serving students with disabilities

Posted on by Leslie Jacobs

Fact:  RSD charters are serving lots of students with disabilities and working to improve these services.

In the 2009-10 school year, the 36 RSD charters enrolled 1,228 students with disabilities, falling just short of enrolling their “fair share” of special needs children by 76 students. Continue reading →