In this edition of In the News:

• No Excuses for Reformers
• NEA Takes Stand Against TFA
• State of Public Education in New Orleans
• Lessons Learned from Louisiana
• Fallout from Atlanta Cheating Scandal
• In Other News
• Voucher Program Follow-up

No Excuses for Reformers

No, Seriously: No Excuses
New York Times – July 7, 2011
In a thoughtful essay, Paul Tough challenges the education reform movement. He acknowledges that turning around failing schools is hard, as is educating students who are years behind their grade level. But it’s not impossible. Still, some “no excuses” reformers are now giving excuses. To bring reforms to scale, Paul Tough argues the education reform movement must acknowledge the whole range of factors that hold poor students back and make providing low-income students with a robust system of academic, emotional and psychological support part of their reform agenda.

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In this edition of In the News:

• Facilities Master Plan Revised
• New Orleans Receives National Attention
• The Question of Academic Gains
• In the National Spotlight
• Louisiana Education News

Facilities Master Plan Revised

New Orleans School Construction Blueprint Revised
The Times-Picayune – June 30, 2011
Education officials have released a revised School Facilities Master Plan, the blueprint for spending the remainder of almost $2 billion in federal aid set aside to rebuild and renovate city schools. Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• Louisiana Education News
• RSD News
• Examining the Education Reformers
• Charter News
• Latest Education Research
• Proposed Governance Model in the News

Louisiana Education News

46% of Schools Get ‘D,’ ‘F’ in New System
The Advocate – June 15, 2011
Nearly half of Louisiana’s public schools would get a “D” or “F” if a controversial school grading system that begins later this year were in effect today. Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• Reforms Face Challenge
• Test Scores Follow-up
• What’s Working in Education Reform
• What’s Not Working in Education Reform
• RSD in the News
• State Superintendent Debate
• Teacher Wins Bookstore Shopping Spree for Class

Reforms Face Challenge

Opponents of New Orleans School Reform Gaining Ground, Supporters
The Times-Picayune – May 23, 2011
Opponents of former State Superintendent Pastorek’s education reform agenda are organizing statewide for the upcoming BESE elections. This coalition opposes reforms such as the Recovery School District, charter schools and evaluating teachers based on student test scores. Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• State Superintendent Paul Pastorek is Resigning
• New RSD Superintendent Signs 3-year Contract
• Local Education News
• National Education News
• Forbes Ranks N.O. Metro Area #2 for Jobs

State Superintendent Paul Pastorek is Resigning

Officials Say Schools Chief Quitting
Associated Press – May 10, 2011
Sources close to Paul Pastorek say he is stepping down as State Superintendent of Education. Continue reading →

In this edition of In the News:

• New Orleans in the National News
• New Superintendent for the RSD
• KIPP Study Causes Controversy
• Local Education Stories
• National Education News
• State News

New Orleans in the National News

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Says He’s Inspired by New Orleans Schools
The Times-Picayune – April 8, 2011
During his visit to New Orleans, Secretary Duncan called New Orleans the most improved school district in the country and our progress since Katrina “remarkable” and “stunning.”

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In this edition of In the News:

• New Orleans Dropout Rate Plummets
• The State of the RSD
• Local Education Stories
• National Education News
• Announcements

New Orleans Dropout Rate Plummets

New Orleans Dropout Rate Falls 31% in One Year; 50% since 2005
Educate Now! – April 4, 2011
Good News! Schools in New Orleans are doing a better job keeping kids in school. From 2008-09 to 2009-10, the city’s dropout rate for 9th-12th graders fell 31%, going from 8.3% to 5.7%. Once again, New Orleans improved faster than the state: the dropout rate for New Orleans has fallen 50% in five years, while the state average has dropped 27%. Pre-Katrina, New Orleans had a dropout rate of 11.4%, one of the worst in the country. Continue reading →

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 this edition of In the News:

• New Orleans’ Black Students are Closing the Performance Gap
• New Orleans is the #1 Brain Magnet
• Examining Education Reform in New Orleans
• Improving Student Performance
• National News
• News from BESE
• Announcements Continue reading →

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 →