Money for Buses

Students attending Einstein Charter are paying upwards of $90 for transportation costs to and from the school for their children to attend. They are protesting as they seek a remedy to the lack of free transportation. “I could be using that money to buy them books or stuff that they actually need, rather than for just going to school.” Read more here

Held Back in NOLA

Over the course of their educations, approximately 40% of New Orleans students have been retained at least one year.  Required retention may soon be a thing of the past. “There’s so much shame attached to it. Students constantly tell me, ‘I want to be at my right grade,’” said Jerel Bryant, Carver’s principal. “It’s a huge thing.” Read more here

How Can I Become a Parent Advocate?

By Cheryl Kirk It’s no secret, that as parents, we are our children’s biggest and best advocates. The phrase parent advocate can be a bit overwhelming for parents. We have so many things to do and places to be, it’s easy to think we can’t be PTA president or room mom, but there are so many ways to advocate for your child. My youngest son has struggled with his transition from elementary… Read More

Dreams Yet to Be Fulfilled

With the new year here, there is an opportunity to reflect on what we accomplished in 2017 and what remains to be done to advance educational equity in 2018. It is also fitting that the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday always starts off the new year. The legacy of this great leader fills us with a renewed hope and energy for what we might accomplish in the year ahead, and also provides… Read More

ReNEW to Close

ReNEW McDonogh will close in 2018. For parents and students who wished to attend the school, this comes as a surprise. “For a conglomeration of reasons, scores actually fell in the first two years of operation.” Read more here

‘Tis the Season

By Sherece Williams Whether you celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus, Kwanza, or don’t celebrate at all, I’m sure this break is much needed.  The kids are tired. The teachers are tired.  It’s time for a break from it all.  I can’t express how I’m looking forward to this much needed time off. Winter break is time intended to do just that break.  A break from the normal everyday hustle and bustle.  It… Read More

Dr. Lisa Green Derry Gives Us Confidence in New Orleans

Dr. Lisa Green Derry is a product of the New Orleans education system. She made this known many times at the education advocacy meetings where I first met her. Her passion and loyalty for our schools caught my attention. I recognized a deep sense of connection between her and her high school, McDonogh 35, but even more, her connection to New Orleans. We sat down to talk in a coffee shop, and… Read More

Equity is the Way to Equity

I recently sat in an education policy meeting where a funder was considering offering resources towards an education equity initiative.  It sounded great, but there was a problem. There were very few people of color in the meeting, which took place in the middle of the day in a high-rise office, overlooking the central business district.  These well-meaning, liberal white professionals were rolling their eyes and mocking the state of our government,… Read More

You Shouldn’t Have to Fight for Your Child’s Education Alone

By Guest Blogger Katrina Gibson My son’s first grade teacher strongly suggested I get him tested.  I took him to the doctor and was in shock after my son was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder.  I didn’t even understand what this diagnosis meant for him.  I also didn’t know this would be the beginning of a fight for my son’s education.   In my area, we have two elementary schools.  The lower… Read More

OF COURSE, IT MUST BE SEGREGATION WHEN THE PARENTS WHO CHOOSE ARE BLACK AND BROWN

By Kimberly Smith and Trish Dziko, National Charter Collaborative We’ve spent the past week trying to decipher the motivations behind the recent Associated Press article that claims charter schools are encouraging segregation solely by the fact that many educate underserved Black and Brown children. The articles – which appeared in localized versions in Albany, Detroit and Columbus – claim that while four percent of district schools enrolled a student body that is… Read More