Behind The Lens episode 278: ‘Failed to file’

Matt McBride on a controversial candidate for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. Marta Jewson on how state standardized test scores should serve the children who take the tests.
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This week on Behind The Lens, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell withdrew a nominee for a spot on the board of directors for the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board earlier this month. The candidate, Kimberley Thomas, was fast-tracked for approval by the New Orleans City Council, which apparently had been poised to overlook years of state ethics-law violations to approve her nomination.

And while the state department of education turned around standardized test scores for thousands of students in record time this year, it can take another four months for them to turn the results into the highly anticipated letter grades given to all schools. This time gap leaves teachers, students and families still guessing about the future.

Our guests this week are freelance reporter Matt McBride and Lens education reporter Marta Jewson. 

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Bright White by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. 

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Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.