Five years ago, mismanagement, fraud and, underperforming schools marred the Orleans Parish School Board, earning the parish the 67th spot in student achievement, out of 68 parishes in the state for 2005.
Then came Katrina, which brought about a state takeover of the lowest-performing schools, plus an increase in charter schools, from three in 2004 to 51 this year. Today, 61 percent of all New Orleans public school students attend charter schools. The school district also received $196 million in federal grants plus additional money from the private sector, all of which helped reopen schools and increase the annual spend per pupil.
So far, positive results are evident: test scores are largely up as is school quality and attendance. In 2005, 64 percent of all New Orleans public schools were rated academically unacceptable, according to Brookings. That number dropped to 42 percent in 2009. Although the decentralization of the public school system still has a way to go, including attracting quality teachers and renewing its infrastructure, progress so far has been swift.
