It took 10 hours for The Times-Picayune to run a story about today’s big local news, which the New York Times broke last night: New Orleans will soon be out of a daily newspaper. The awards-winning Times-Picayune, one of the most-read papers in any metropolitan market, announced that it will reduce its delivery and sales […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Opinion: Changes at TP were necessary, but are they the right ones?
The decision by The Times-Picayune to cut publication to three days a week and go all-in on the web is a response – probably belated – to some pretty grave realities. Whether it’s a solution is another question. What the bean counters have to hope is that they’ve struck the right balance between the web, […]
Posted inInside the News Room
Open Society Foundations renew and increase funding for The Lens
We’re proud to announce a continuing and increased grant from one of our major donors, the Open Society Foundations. The Lens was founded in 2009 as the city’s first nonprofit newsroom with a grant from Open Society, and it has supported us at an average of $160,000 over the past three years. It is generously […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Test scores are strong; Clark has seats to fill; $70G in new grants awarded
Initial results from standardized state tests look good, FirstLine Schools chief executive officer Jay Altman told the board at their May monthly meeting. Altman said he expects John Dibert Community School to post some of the city’s biggest gains. He said he was pleased that Langston Hughes Academy maintained the status quo. “I was relieved […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board meeting agenda released
The agenda for the New Beginnings May board meeting is reprinted below: New Beginnings Schools Foundation Board Board Meeting Tuesday May 29, 2012 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 2045 Lakeshore Drive CERM Building, Room 438 Agenda Welcome & Opening Remarks (1 minute) Dr. Timothy Ryan, Chairman Call for Quorum & Minutes (2 minutes) Dr. Timothy […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Poorer communities continue to suffer lack of broadband access — and related opportunity
The Lens is reposting this story, first published March 23, in light of news that The Times-Picayune will be cutting back to three published newspapers a week, focusing its efforts instead on online reporting. The accompanying map shows the wide swaths of the city where broadband internet access is not prevalent — meaning people there […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Violence and gang activity draw board's attention; McDonogh 42 takeover stalls
By Yomi Akinyemi, The Lens charter school reporter | A recent spate of violence that claimed the lives of two students at a nearby school was a focus of the Choice Foundation’s monthly board meeting on May 2. Principal Mickey Landry said the killing of the two students from KIPP Believe, blocks away from Lafayette, […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Board weighs bid for Carver High charter; graduating seniors win $500 scholarships
By Josh Johnston, The Lens charter school reporter | An alumni group from the failing George Washington Carver High School has asked Friends of King Schools, the board that runs Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School, to apply for Carver’s charter, King board members learned at their May 8 monthly meeting. A Carver alumni […]
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Finances OK, but charter extension likely to hinge on performance score and special ed
By Yomi Akinyemi, The Lens charter school reporter | Pride College Prep’s finances are in excellent shape, according to the Recovery School District’s Office of School Performance. Now comes closer scrutiny of school facilities and services for students with disabilities, RSD officials Adam Hawf and Bayoji Akingbola told board members at their monthly meeting, May […]
Posted inSchools
Teacher job application asked race, gender and marital status
Until Tuesday, teachers applying to work in the four charter schools in the Capital One-New Beginnings network were required to disclose their race, gender and marital status – information that could lead to discrimination lawsuits. A day after The Lens asked about the unusual application questions, the network removed its application packet from its website. […]