Education Next has an informative article about how New Orleans is not only rebuilding its schools but reshaping how they are governed. Five years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina the public school system has emerged as a place where nearly 75 percent of the students attend charter schools. Test scores for reading and math have risen steadily. Of course, a clean slate and temporary higher-than-average levels of financial support from government and foundations have aided efforts. However a far greater factor in improving student test scores and schools is the decision to free New Orleans schools from stifling central office control and spin off as many independent charter schools as possible.
Food for thought as our law makers consider legislation (SB-8) to revamp charter schools in North Carolina.
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