The superintendent wants to close the school; the board has delayed a decision.
Author Archives: 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.
Posted inInvestigations, Schools
Nepotism cases against two New Orleans charter school leaders have dragged on for years
In 2012 and 2014, the state ethics board charged Paulette Bruno and Doris Roché-Hicks with breaking state law because five family members worked at charter schools they run. Years later, the charges remain unresolved.
Posted inCharter Schools, Schools
Charter board delays action on Coghill teachers’ request for union recognition
It’s the fifth school to undergo a union drive in recent years.
Posted inSchools
At Mahalia Jackson, parents lurch from chartering to closure to uncertainty
First it was a charter effort. Then they were told it would close. Now they don’t know.
Posted inSchools
ExCEED withdraws applications to charter remaining traditional schools in New Orleans
The superintendent was scheduled to make a recommendation on the applications Thursday.
Posted inSchools
Louisiana families must give up special education rights for school vouchers
The New York Times reports that some families around the country don’t know this until they’re already in a private school.
Posted inSchools
Orleans school board committee votes to close Mahalia Jackson
The school is growing, but district staff say it’s not meeting enrollment goals.
Posted inSchools
How enrollment factored in the closure of Mahalia Jackson Elementary
A group has been trying to charter it. Now the school district wants to shut it down.
Posted inSchools
Live blog recap: Public speaks out on efforts to turn last schools in New Orleans into charters
A decision will be made next week.
Posted inSchools
Live blog: Parents, public weigh in on ExCEED charter applications at public hearing
The group wants to take over five public schools in New Orleans. We’ll cover the meeting live starting at 6 p.m.