Educate Now! is a non-profit organization dedicated to effective and sustainable reform of New Orleans public schools. Our mission is carried out by:

Providing current, comprehensive information on education reform in New Orleans
Lending programmatic support to educational reforms in New Orleans
Advocating for decentralized, quality public schools for all students in New Orleans

Leslie Jacobs, Founder

Leslie Jacobs is an insurance executive who has been engaged in education reform for over twenty years. A native of New Orleans, she began as a business partner to an elementary school, served as an elected member of the New Orleans School Board, followed by a twelve year government appointed position on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). During this time, she was instrumental in passing the constitutional amendment that created the Recovery School District and is considered the architect of Louisiana’s accountability reform. Through Educate Now!, she continues her efforts to build successful schools in a post-Katrina New Orleans. Leslie has received numerous honors including the “Distinguished Service Award” from the National Association of State Boards of Education in Washington, DC, and the “National Governor’s Association Award for Distinguished Service to State Government.” She was also selected as one of the “Twenty People Who Influenced Louisiana 1981-2001,” by Louisiana Life. Click here for more information on Leslie Jacobs.

OUR PRINCIPLES

Education New Orleans

1. QUALITY SCHOOLS

Our goal is that every school — whether charter or traditional– must be a high-performing, quality school.

What?

New Orleans has endured failing schools for long enough. Before Katrina, 63% of students in New Orleans attended failing schools. Our goal is that every school — whether charter or traditional– must be a high-performing, quality school.

How?

Schools must focus on continuous improvement
Previously failing schools will progress to a D and then to C letter grade
All Schools in New Orleans must be held to the same performance standards. The management of schools that are still failing after four years — traditional or charter — should be transferred to a new operating entity shown to have a proven track record
Failing charter schools should not be able to renew their charters

2. PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE AND EQUITABLE ACCESS

What?

Public schools in New Orleans must continue to allow students and families to select their own schools

How?

Students are not assigned to schools; rather families select the school for their children
Parents and guardians must have easy access to information about all public school options and operations
The selection and enrollment process must be easy to understand, transparent, and equitable
All schools should provide services for students with special needs
All schools must provide transportation

3. EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES

What?

All students deserve equal funding; regardless of whether they choose to attend a charter or traditional school. Additionally, all schools need facilities that further their educational mission.

How?

Students with comparable needs should have comparable funding
Money must follow the student such that schools receive funds based on their enrollment
Newly renovated or built facilities should be equitably distributed between charter, traditional, open-admission, and selective-admission schools

4. SOUND FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

What?

Financial responsibility and accountability must underlie all decisions of involved parties

How?

The Recovery School District, Orleans Parish School Board, and charter school operators must maintain financial discipline and not spend more than they receive in funding