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Posted on March 7 at 3:02 p.m.

Two clues to what ELSE is going on in the EBR school system. This happened in February...

RYAN ELEMENATARY, one of only 20 schools statewide, was declared a MODEL SCHOOL by the State Department of Education (LA DoE). Ryan was recognized by educational leaders from DoE and BESE for its ability to help guide a school performance score of 80+ while overcoming challenges, such as the high number of students that qualify for free or reduced cost lunches. Ryan principal Darlene Brister gives credit to the school's team effort. Some might also point to the school's determination to succeed, clearly expressed in their school motto: “every child, whatever it takes.”

WESTDALE HEIGHTS ACADEMIC MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (WHAM) , one of only 22 schools nationally, was named a School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America.  WHAM, established as an academic magnet in 2004, is THE ONLY SCHOOL IN LOUISIANA recognized at this level. WHAM has been recognized as a "School of Exemplary Growth" for its consistent increases in its students’ performance on LEAP and iLEAP tests. It currently holds a four star rating, out of five, in the state accountability rankings. Principal Cheryl Singer says the mission of the school is to educate the WHOLE child by providing a learning environment that encourages the development of "critical thinking, social skills, citizenship and responsibility to others, health, the arts, and preparation for future education and tomorrow’s workforce."

Yes, there are failed schools, but please don't ignore the development of highly honored and award-winning schools, too -- schools that hold statewide significance and capture national recognition.

On Vote ‘no’ on school taxes

Posted on March 7 at 2:55 p.m.

Change and progress in our system? In February, two more of our public schools were recognized for achievement.

RYAN ELEMENATARY, one of only 20 schools statewide, was declared a MODEL SCHOOL by the State Department of Education (LA DoE). Ryan was recognized by educational leaders from DoE and BESE for its ability to help guide a school performance score of 80+ while overcoming challenges, such as the high number of students that qualify for free or reduced cost lunches. Ryan principal Darlene Brister gives credit to the school's team effort. Some might also point to the school's determination to succeed, clearly expressed in their school motto: “every child, whatever it takes.”

WESTDALE HEIGHTS ACADEMIC MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (WHAM) , one of only 22 schools nationally, was named a School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America.  WHAM, established as an academic magnet in 2004, is THE ONLY SCHOOL IN LOUISIANA recognized at this level. WHAM has been recognized as a "School of Exemplary Growth" for its consistent increases in its students’ performance on LEAP and iLEAP tests. It currently holds a four star rating, out of five, in the state accountability rankings. Principal Cheryl Singer says the mission of the school is to educate the WHOLE child by providing a learning environment that encourages the development of "critical thinking, social skills, citizenship and responsibility to others, health, the arts, and preparation for future education and tomorrow’s workforce."

Our public school system IS helping to shape the development of highly honored and award-winning schools -- schools that hold statewide significance and capture national recognition.

On The case against EBR's school tax: More innovation, not more money

Posted on March 7 at 11:59 a.m.

Trying to make changes in our public school system is like trying to make major repairs on an airplane while it's flying. Even a minor mistake could have devastating effects—not just for the crew and passengers, but also for those on the ground below.

This Saturday, voters will consider three school tax renewals. On its website, the school system explains how revenues will be used if measures pass, but what happens if they fail?

1. Failure of the school tax renewals will cause the school system to lose its greatest asset: teachers. If your employer asked you to take a 20% pay cut, but do the same job you’ve been doing for five years, would you? Experienced, award-winning teachers and principals face this question if the compensation proposition fails. New recruits are watching.

2. Failure of the renewals will push back progress made in the last five years. Of the 32 schools where at least nine out of ten kids live in poverty, roughly half of those schools demonstrated academic growth. 23 schools—that’s over 1/3 of our schools—have student populations that are 95% in poverty. In people-terms, that’s 10 out of 10 students living in poverty. Imagine cutting resources to these children.

3. Failure of the renewals will damage our community’s reputation. Louisianans elected a reform governor and up-ended politics-as-usual with unprecedented ethics reform. Now, we’re at another critical crossroads. If we defeat school tax renewals, we say to those knowledge workers, entrepreneurs, and world class academicians we’re trying to attract to our community, “We support public education, we just don’t fund it.”

4. Failure of the renewals will undercut progress toward real racial, social, and economic diversity in our community. White, middle class families abandoned public schools during the last several decades, resulting in an almost single race public school system. In the last three years, however, this demographic is showing interest in EBR’s academic magnet schools—racially diverse schools created as part of the consent decree that ended court-ordered desegregation. Tours, applications, and long waiting lists at these national award-winning schools signal renewed confidence and an appreciation for the value of diversity. This is a watershed for our community.

Our public school system is a critical part of our community. There are no simple answers. There are no quick fixes. We are seeing progress. If we want that progress to continue, we cannot expect teachers and principals to do more WITH less. Nor should we expect them to do more FOR less.

This Saturday, I hope that you will join me supporting the three school tax renewals. They will be instrumental in helping our kids, our schools, and our community achieve great things.

On Vote ‘no’ on school taxes

Posted on March 7 at 11:56 a.m.

Trying to make changes in our public school system is like trying to make major repairs on an airplane while it's flying. Even a minor mistake could have devastating effects—not just for the crew and passengers, but also for those on the ground below.

This Saturday, voters will consider three school tax renewals. On its website, the school system explains how revenues will be used if measures pass, but what happens if they fail?

1. Failure of the school tax renewals will cause the school system to lose its greatest asset: teachers. If your employer asked you to take a 20% pay cut, but do the same job you’ve been doing for five years, would you? Experienced, award-winning teachers and principals face this question if the compensation proposition fails. New recruits are watching.

2. Failure of the renewals will push back progress made in the last five years. Of the 32 schools where at least nine out of ten kids live in poverty, roughly half of those schools demonstrated academic growth. 23 schools—that’s over 1/3 of our schools—have student populations that are 95% in poverty. In people-terms, that’s 10 out of 10 students living in poverty. Imagine cutting resources to these children.

3. Failure of the renewals will damage our community’s reputation. Louisianans elected a reform governor and up-ended politics-as-usual with unprecedented ethics reform. Now, we’re at another critical crossroads. If we defeat school tax renewals, we say to those knowledge workers, entrepreneurs, and world class academicians we’re trying to attract to our community, “We support public education, we just don’t fund it.”

4. Failure of the renewals will undercut progress toward real racial, social, and economic diversity in our community. White, middle class families abandoned public schools during the last several decades, resulting in an almost single race public school system. In the last three years, however, this demographic is showing interest in EBR’s academic magnet schools—racially diverse schools created as part of the consent decree that ended court-ordered desegregation. Tours, applications, and long waiting lists at these national award-winning schools signal renewed confidence and an appreciation for the value of diversity. This is a watershed for our community.

Our public school system is a critical part of our community. There are no simple answers. There are no quick fixes. We are seeing progress. If we want that progress to continue, we cannot expect teachers and principals to do more WITH less. Nor should we expect them to do more FOR less.

On The case against EBR's school tax: More innovation, not more money