In this edition of In the News:

• The Biggest Experiment
• The Price of Inaction
• Common Core Updates
• National Stories
• Louisiana Headlines
• Local News

The Biggest Experiment

Inside the Nation’s Biggest Experiment in School Choice
Wall Street Journal – September 29, 2013
The Wall Street Journal explores school choice in New Orleans, where parents are empowered but must work to be informed and to find the right fit for their children. A lot has been done to help families and to simplify the process, but it’s still laborious for some parents to navigate the new system of schools.

Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• Impact of Change
• Louisiana Headlines
• National Stories
• What Do Parents Want?

Impact of Change

New Orleans’ summer of school change: Where did the students go?
Times-Picayune – August 30, 2013
This summer saw more changes in New Orleans public schools than in prior years – 4 closed, 3 converted to charters, 3 transferred to new charter operators, and 2 merged. The centralized OneApp system has made it easier to track where the impacted students enrolled this year. The new charter operators worked hard to retain existing enrollment, and most schools saw high rates of returning students.

For some New Orleans students, school choice means pre-dawn bus pickups
The Lens – August 26, 2013
Before Katrina, most students were assigned to their neighborhood public schools. Now that parents can choose a school, many are choosing schools in other parts of the city from where they live. Parents say long commutes are worth it when they find the right school for their child, but the early mornings and long days can be hard, especially for young students. Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• Good News for New Orleans
• Common Core Updates
• National Headlines
• News from BESE
• Local Stories

Good News for New Orleans

New Orleans charter schools show progress with students, study finds
Times-Picayune – August 8, 2013
The latest CREDO study focused on Louisiana and found that New Orleans charter school students are learning faster than their peers at conventional schools and faster than their peers at charters elsewhere in Louisiana. Half of the city’s charter schools are performing significantly better than conventional public schools in reading, and 56% are performing higher in math. These gains equate to an extra 120 days of learning in reading and 150 days in math. Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• New Orleans is Hot!
• Special Education Challenges
• Good News
• National Education Stories
• OPSB Updates
• Louisiana Headlines
• Other Local News
• In Memoriam – Everett Williams

New Orleans is Hot!

Hot U.S. Cities That Offer Both Jobs and Culture Are Mostly Southern and Modest Sized
Daily Beast – July 30, 2013
New Orleans is a “hotspot” and a magnet for opportunity according to the Daily Beast. Looking at employment, per capita income, population growth, the migration of college-educated people, and the quality of life, the Daily Beast found that New Orleans is not only culturally rich but also a good place to build a career, buy a home, and ultimately raise a family in relative comfort. Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• OPSB Antics
• Louisiana Headlines
• National Education Stories
• Local News
• Shout Out

OPSB Antics

Orleans Parish School Board antics harken back to pre-Katrina politics
The Advocate – July 14, 2013
Infighting, public squabbles, charges of racism, and threats to put another superintendent on the chopping block – Is the OPSB returning to its old ways? Andrew Vanacore looks at the controversies surrounding today’s OPSB in this article from The Advocate. James Varney also examines this lamentable sense of déjà vu in an op ed for the Times Picayune. Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• Conflict Escalates at OPSB
• CREDO: Charters Outperforming Traditional Schools
• RSD Updates
• Louisiana Headlines
• National Education Stories
• Other Local News

Conflict Escalates at OPSB

Community: Orleans Parish School Board should focus on superintendent search, not politics
Times-Picayune – June 29, 2013
Recent actions by the Orleans Parish School Board have left many in the community astounded and perplexed, particularly by OPSB President, Ira Thomas. Even those who support Thomas’ views say he has failed to step up, lead a bigger conversation, and bring together people with opposing views. “I don’t know what he stands for. Nobody does,” says Andre Perry. Continue reading →

Louisiana House and Senate negotiators have struck a deal on the state budget that includes an additional $68 million for K-12 education:

• $34 million for a teacher pay raise (not a one-time bonus)

• $34 million for local school districts to spend as needed

There is a commitment by all parties to include this funding in the 2014-15 MFP, so this increase is not a one-time appropriation.

The House and Senate will vote on the proposed changes today, and Governor Jindal has said he supports the plan. The session officially ends tonight at 6:00 pm.

For more, read this article in the Times-Picayune.