Author: Marta Jewson

About Marta Jewson: Marta Jewson covers education in New Orleans for The Lens. She began her reporting career covering charter schools for The Lens and helped found the hyperlocal news site Mid-City Messenger. Jewson returned to New Orleans in the fall of 2014 after covering education for the St. Cloud Times in Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with majors in journalism and social welfare and a concentration in educational policy studies. Jewson has covered New Orleans schools for 15 years through the nation's largest education reform experiment. She was a founding member of the outlet's Charter School Reporting Corps and was instrumental in holding schools accountable to sunshine laws during the rapid expansion of charter schools in the city.

New Orleans City Council questions schools reopening

August 3, 2020 Updated December 18, 2020

City Councilmembers heard from officials and members of the public at a hearing Monday. While NOLA Public Schools will start the school year online, some private and independent schools are opening soon.

Positive COVID-19 test pushes Plessy Community School training online

August 3, 2020 Updated August 3, 2020

Students in New Orleans will not return for in-person classes until at least next month. But many teachers are still being called in for professional development.

Teachers, community members urge NOLA Public Schools to require stronger protections for charter school employees

July 30, 2020 Updated July 30, 2020

OPSB typically has only limited control over semi-autonomous charter schools.

Louisiana, Orleans Parish 2019 graduation rates down from previous year

July 29, 2020 Updated July 29, 2020

The graduation rate data showed a 17-point drop at John F. Kennedy High School.

As New Orleans schools plan virtual reopening, 20 percent of students may still lack internet access

July 28, 2020 Updated July 28, 2020

NOLA Public Schools district preps for COVID-19 reopening and running a school directly.

Four charged with nepotism at Coghill Charter School, state ethics board alleges

July 27, 2020 Updated July 27, 2020

Two board members and their family members, who worked at the school, were charged with violating state ethics laws.

Four Orleans Parish School Board members seek reelection as qualifying begins

July 22, 2020 Updated October 27, 2020

Newly appointed interim board member is seeking a full term.

NOLA Public Schools will delay in-person classes until early September

July 21, 2020 Updated December 18, 2020

Announcement comes amid continued growth in COVID-19 cases in the city and across the state.

Parent group calls for delay to school year amid rising COVID-19 cases

July 20, 2020 Updated July 20, 2020

State: Exception to President’s visa ban will allow 70 teachers from abroad

July 16, 2020 Updated July 16, 2020

Uptown’s French-curriculum Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans faced a staff shortage of up to 35 percent of their teachers due to the virus and President's visa ban.

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