New Orleans’ fearless education reform sparked conversation—both positive and negative—about the future of American education. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, citizens seized an opportunity to rebuild a better school system. The changes experienced by New Orleans have received international attention and have become a model for turnaround districts across the country.
However, it’s important to understand that rebuilding is a learning process. The adoption of an all-charter school system had not yet been done. This bold decision led to measurable gains because of reforms in key areas. Equity At the foundation of New Orleans’ education reform is an important principle: equity. According to Scott Cowen, who chaired the post-Katrina education task force, reformers wanted all students—regardless of race and economic background—to be awarded the same high-quality educational experience, ultimately closing the educational gap. A recently published study by New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO) finds that the school system serves a disproportionate amount of at-risk youth—most of who are living in poverty. Breaking a cycle of subpar education in urban neighborhoods, New Orleans’ charter system produces measurable gains. New Orleans’ heavy focus on equity makes it easier to serve their students’ needs and helps students to succeed. Governance Another principle that shaped rebuilding the New Orleans school system was governance. A key component to success was giving autonomy to all schools. A shift in governance encouraged accountability by closing failing schools and expanding high-performing schools, causing a significant drop in the number of failing schools. According to Scott Cowen, charter schools made giving autonomy to schools easier because they were awarded more freedoms. The shift in governance and resulting freedom to innovate has caused students to thrive. Student Gains In order to increase student achievement in New Orleans, reformers sought to create the best schools with the best teachers and leaders. Though much work remains, academic achievement has increased since the destruction of the pre-Katrina school system 10 years ago. According to the CREDO Urban Charter School study, New Orleans charter schools have not only improved, but in some cases outperform their traditional public school counterparts. In addition to academic gains, a study by the State of Public Education in New Orleans (SPENO) found that the student dropout rate was cut by more than half and more students are graduating due to increased preparation. Tulane University economist, Douglas Harris explains, “Put differently, I’ve never seen an effect of this size before,” when referring to New Orleans’ success. Overall, the reforms in New Orleans are widely recognized for accomplishments while acknowledging the need for continued work. Taking such a leap to provide a better future for children was courageous and beneficial. New Orleans now has the ability to use what they’ve learned to continue building better futures through quality education.
Menu
