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.
Two schools with high numbers of special education students face budget cuts
Cypress and Noble Minds have both made a point of serving special education students, an expensive group for schools. They are both looking to increase enrollment numbers to avoid cuts.
School zone traffic camera may be issuing tickets at wrong time
One Mid-City resident got six tickets at a time when she says she was at work. The city is looking into the matter.
State cuts Singleton Charter school’s score to a D after 2017 testing problems
Students were given extra assistance on tests. Some exams had unusually high numbers of answers changed from wrong to right.
District halts enrollment at four charter schools that could close this spring
Harney charter school is facing a budget deficit due to an enrollment shortage. The school has faced numerous warnings for failing to comply with district policies.
Week in Review: City Council again approves short-term rental freeze
Lens fake subpoena suit against New Orleans DA goes before state appeals court
Appealing an earlier ruling for news outlet, Cannizzaro's office says that public records requests for so-called "DA subpoenas" were too broad. The Lens is asking for more records.
Newly unified Orleans school district hires director of charter board compliance
Charter advocates question whether the measures will step on schools’ autonomy, but community advocates say the work is necessary.
Ethics panel upholds nepotism ruling against charter school CEO
Ethics judges found that Friends of King CEO Doris Hicks violated anti-nepotism laws by hiring close relatives at her charter schools. She was ordered to leave her post and fined $20,000. Her lawyer said he plans to appeal.
