The drastic overhaul and resulting success of the New Orleans school system has proven to be a bold model for other school systems around the country. For charter school advocates, the near all-charter district demonstrates how the presence of charter schools can transform an entire school district.
Recently, The Seventy-Four released an article highlighting popular myths and opposing views of the turnaround efforts of New Orleans’ school district. One-by-one, author Matt Barnum discredits these myths and misinterpretations using data from a recent study completed by economist Doug Harris at Tulane University. Below are five of those myths and facts about the changes happening in New Orleans: Myth: Test scores do not matter. New Orleans was totally focused on test scores during an era of “data-driven competition,” which led to rumored cheating. Fact: If there was only a focus teaching to high-stakes reading and math tests, then that narrow test-prep should lead to students performing better on only those high-stakes exams. The test prep focus would also lessen the possibility of students excelling on ACT tests, since it has much more difficult to prepare for (or, on the cynical side, cheat) on this test. This however, is not the case. Students improved on low-stakes and high-stakes tests, ACT exams, and increased high school graduation and college entry rates. Myth: Even after a 2-point increase, average ACT test scores are considerably lower than what is required for college admission, so the improvement is insufficient. Fact: Considering an overall 36-point exam, two points is a large improvement. Though there still is room for improvement for student achievement, Harris remarks, “I’ve never seen an effect of this size before.” Myth: The main reason for improvement was large increases in per-pupil funding rather than systemic reforms. Fact: Money does matter for the creation and maintenance of opportunities that charter schools provide, and could have therefore played a role in the academic improvement. However, Harris points out that other school districts have received sizable funding without comparable results. Myth: Many New Orleans citizens who initially supported the turnaround changed their position after seeing its implementation. Fact: In a recent poll, more than half agreed that charter schools have improved the city’s education system and more than seventy percent preferred an open enrollment system to traditional geographic school assignment. Though opponents paint a negative picture, the overall view of charter schools is positive. Myth: Life for students in New Orleans is barely improving. Fact: It is important to note that turning around the school system means also addressing to the needs and circumstances of students. However, to expect successful school reform to cure poverty and violent crime in a city is beyond arm’s reach. Reformers are hopeful that quality education will lead to better opportunities for students to change their difficult situations. Though opponents question the success of charter schools, they should not be used to discount the growth and achievement that New Orleans has accomplished. City, state, and school leaders around the country should continue to look at what has been learned and what is working so that they can use these lessons to continue to raise the bar for their students’ achievement. Want to the untold story of New Orleans education reform? Read our paper, The Hidden Connection in City-wide Reform: How Charter Schools Can Bring Equity to Public Education.
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