Stricter college admissions rules could keep many local high school graduates out
Despite gains in student performance in many New Orleans schools, in two years most of the city's public high school graduates might no longer qualify to attend any of Louisiana's public universities immediately after graduation. The reason is more stringent college
New Orleans charter testing drama casts light on how cheating allegations are handled
Last year, several teachers at Miller-McCoy Academy in eastern New Orleans told Recovery School District officials they feared someone on the school's staff had opened high-stakes exams in advance so students could be prepped on a few actual test questions.
Recovery School District closures and changes can leave families with whiplash
Whenever Linda Acker's daughter, Ariel, finally settled into a new school, word came that it was time to move.View full sizeChris Granger, The Times-PicayuneSome families with children in the Francis W. Gregory K-8 school in Gentilly reportedly did not hear
Meaning of LEAP scores a mystery to most Louisiana parents
Most Louisiana parents know that a score of "basic" on the LEAP test means their child can advance to the next grade. But few know that it translates into an average ACT score of 19. Or that it means a
State needs to stick to charter school renewal process, group says
With the first New Orleans charter school since Hurricane Katrina coming up for renewal this week, observers say the state must do more to ensure that decisions about which charters stay open, and which close, are timely and transparent.Times-Picayune archiveNBA
Early childhood education efforts would benefit from more coordination, federal official says
Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune archiveScientists and economists have amassed more evidence than ever before on the value of early childhood programs. Here, Logan Oubre, 4, shakes hands with East St. Charles volunteer firefighter James Kemp during a New Sarpy Elementary
Older students pose unique challenges for teachers, families
Chris Granger / The Times-PicayuneSharon Collins, center, joins her classmates at Sci Academy in reading on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 in New Orleans East.Number of students at least two years overage by grade level As her 16th birthday approached last
Louisiana's pre-K programs rank high in quality, but funding slips, report says
Ted Jackson / The Times-Picayune Pre-K student Amari Watson ponders the directives from her teacher during class at Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School for Science and Technology. Louisiana continues to rank well when it comes to the quality of
New Orleans charter schools will outnumber traditional schools 2 to 1 next year
Charter schools will outnumber traditional schools two to one in the Recovery School District next school year, in an effort to rapidly shrink the roster of schools under the state-run district's direct control. Times-Picayune archiveDibert Elementary School will convert to
Louisiana school suspension, expulsion rates criticized as excessive
Jennifer Zdon/The Times-Picayune archiveRecovery School District Superintendent Paul Vallas said the lion's share of the suspensions occur at a handful of schools that constantly enroll new students over the course of the school year.Louisiana public schools expel students at five
Charter schools face unique challenges educating children with special needs
Jennifer Zdon/The Times-Picayune archiveCitywide, charters educate about 60 percent of New Orleans' public school children. But they serve only about 38 percent of the students with autism, 37 percent of those with an emotional disturbance, and about 23 percent of
Public school pre-K slots get more costly, hard to come by
Ted Jackson / The Times-PicayunePre-K students give high 5's to their art teacher Nicholas Buscigtio of Mos Chukma Institute during class at Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School for Science and Technology in September. King is one of the few
New Orleans charter schools likely to band together to share vision, support
Susan Poag / The Times-PicayuneAlgiers Charter Schools Association Chief Executive Officer Andrea Thomas- Reynold addresses students in August 2009 on the first day back to school at O. Perry Walker College and Career Preparatory High School and Community Center in Algiers.
Debate over charter operator for Craig Elementary raises questions about neighborhood's role in remaking local schools
When New Orleanians gathered last week to debate the future of Joseph A. Craig Elementary School in Treme, the conversation raised broader questions about the role the surrounding neighborhood should play in charting the course of a public school that