In this edition of In the News:

• RSD Adopts Expulsion Policy
• Voucher Accountability Approved
• Voucher Lawsuit Status
• Community Colleges – Working to Improve Results
• A Look at Virtual Schools
• Other National Education Stories
• More Local News

RSD Adopts Expulsion Policy

Recovery School District to List Behaviors that Could Get Students Expelled
Times-Picayune – July 16, 2012
To improve consistency and transparency among its schools, including its charter schools, the RSD has developed a new expulsion policy with a list of expellable offences and a uniform procedure for handling complaints and hearings. The RSD has also developed an issue reporting process for parents.  Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News

• New Orleans in the National Spotlight
• End of Course Test Results Are In
• Voucher Updates
• National Education News
• Technology Lacking in LA Schools
• Local Stories

New Orleans in the National Spotlight

U.S. Top Education Official: N.O. Doing ‘Fantastic’ with Improvements
WWL TV – July 12, 2012
According to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, New Orleans is doing “a fantastic job” at improving schools and student performance, but we have to remain vigilant about closing failing schools.  Continue reading →

 At 2:00 pm today, the presidents of New Orleans’ universities
and colleges issued the following call to service.  

In this edition of In the News:

• New Orleans as a Proof Point
• Success Stories
• Vouchers in Practice
• More Local Charter News
• National Education Stories
• Examining Discipline Policies
• Around Louisiana
• Closer to Home

New Orleans as a Proof Point

New Orleans Program Offers Proof of Charter Schools’ Value
Tacoma’s News Tribune – May 30, 2012
Reformers in Washington State are trying to get a ban on charter schools lifted. They are using New Orleans as an example of how charters can succeed where traditional systems fail. Continue reading →

In this Edition of In the News:

• OPSB Updates
• RSD Headlines
• Others Have Their Say
• Louisiana Headlines
• National Education Stories
• Local News 

OPSB Updates

Orleans Parish School Board Approves Property Tax Increase
Times-Picayune – May 15, 2012
After a long and sometimes heated meeting, the OPSB voted to:

• Roll forward the millage for 2013. The increase in property tax rates will bring in an estimated $5.1 million for all Orleans Parish public schools (OPSB and RSD). The move received significant community support, including a personal appeal from RSD Superintendent Patrick Dobard.
• Install Stan Smith, the district’s chief financial officer, as Interim Superintendent. Mr. Smith will take over for Darryl Kilbert, who is leaving the position at the end of June.
• Promote Kathleen Padian, the district’s Executive Director of Charter Schools, to the level of Deputy Superintendent. Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• School Revolution
• National Spotlight on Louisiana
• Don’t Shortchange Our Children
• Superintendents in the News
• National Education Stories
• Louisiana Updates
• Local News
• More Good News

School Revolution

The Big Easy’s School Revolution
Washington Post – April 27, 2012
After examining the impressive progress made by New Orleans schools since Katrina, the Washington Post asks the question: In districts where schools are horribly failing, why should it take a natural disaster to return power to parents and educators? Continue reading →

Darryl Kilbert has announced that on June 30, 2012 he will be stepping down as Superintendent of Orleans Parish Schools due to health reasons.

For six years, Mr. Kilbert has served as Superintendent for the the Orleans Parish School Board, leading the small group of schools left to the OPSB after the state takeover post-Katrina. This now includes 17 schools – 11 charters and 6 traditional schools. In the years since Mr. Kilbert took over, the district’s financial position has gone from near-bankruptcy to earning a top-notch credit rating.

Mr. Kilbert said that he is resigning effective June 30 in order to focus on his health. “I have committed to our School Board that I would devote my full abilities and efforts to leading the district. And to be able to fully recover, I am not able to meet those commitments in a way that I feel necessary or that you deserve.”

For more on Darryl Kilbert’s tenure at the OPSB and his resignation, read this article in the Times-Picayune.

Educate Now! thanks Mr. Kilbert for his service to the OPSB, our schools, and our children.