The October 17th meeting of Lake Forest Elementary Charter School Board focused on the array of changes teachers face this year. Teachers have a new curriculum to implement, a new evaluation system, a slew of education bills in the legislature that might effect them and — according to Principal Mardele Early — a lot of […]
Posted inOpinion, Schools
Do any schools hide in the shadows of state accountability rules?
A former state education functionary says there may be “shadow schools” at both ends of the academic spectrum. A couple months ago I linked to a post at the Crazy Crawfish blog to buttress my case against corporal punishment. Later on, I read Crazy Crawfish’s other posts. Most of them tackle education issues, with an […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
School partners with local celebrities, scrambles to fix Isaac damage
Success Prep Academy school leaders have arranged unique partnerships with several prominent New Orleans residents including Chef John Besh, local musician Irvin Mayfield and author Ruby Bridges. Erik Kelt, Middle School Assistant Principal, told board members that he met or made contact with each of the individuals to see how they can impact the school and its students. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Bids to monitor NOPD reforms under consent decree vary widely
The city Wednesday morning made available for public viewing posted wide-ranging bids from seven companies vying to be selected as police monitor under terms of an impending federal consent decree with the New Orleans Police Department. Correction: The city made the bids available for public viewing, but they are not posted online. The monitor will be […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Vouchers, low school scores cut enrollment; budget gap explained
Between 20 and 25 percent cumulatively of last year’s top undergraduates did not re-enroll in ReNEW schools this year, chief executive officer Gary Robichaux told the charter management organization’s board of directors at their monthly meeting in October. Robichaux cited the state voucher program and low school performance scores—both SciTech and Batiste Cultural Arts Academy […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Decline in enrollment may require dismissing some faculty members
The official Oct. 1 enrollment count came in far below last year’s number at Intercultural Charter School. Facing proportionately decreased revenue, at their October monthly meeting the board of directors approved a large reduction in the school’s projected budget that will likely require faculty dismissals. “This is a very painful experience,” board president Cam Thanh […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Investigations
City wary of opening its coffers, leaving jail reforms at an impasse
The city’s reluctance to provide Sheriff Marlin Gusman with a financial bailout continues to stymie movement toward reforming Orleans Parish Prison under terms of a federal consent decree — despite fresh reports of violence and unconstitutional conditions at Gusman’s sprawling jail complex. At the heart of the impasse: The Landrieu administration refuses to give Gusman […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
Lycée parents complain to BESE about pricey fees for tutoring
Parents complained today before the state’s top education board that they had to pay a $250 application fee to enroll their children in Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orleans, the French-immersion charter school, and upwards of $150 a week to get them extra tutoring. They also complained to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Lake Forest Elementary board releases meeting agenda
View a copy of the agenda here.
Posted inSchools
Live blog replay: State expands charter school authorizations
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education held its School Innovation and Turnaround Committee meeting Tuesday at 11 a.m. I live-blogged the meeting here. This committee hears issues related to the Recovery School District and charter schools. Here is the agenda: Report on Lycée Français: The Louisiana Department of Education provided a report on […]