Interview with John Alford and Mardele Early on Attendance: New Orleans One Year Later
6 September 2006, 9:15 AM EDT
Read more about John Alford
Read more about Mardele Early
Transcript
Erica H.:
How many students have actually returned to New Orleans? And are there enough teachers?
John Alford:
Eric:
Most of the schools are opening up this week so we won't know the actual numbers for a week or so. So far, according to the state's numbers, 22,000 students have registered to attend public schools here. We are also expecting a number of students to just "show up" when/after school starts up. In the past, public students did not have to register to attend their school...
As far as teachers go, there is a shortage; especially at the high school math and science level. The state is looking for 180 teachers to fill vacant positions.
Most of the schools are opening up this week so we won't know the actual numbers for a week or so. So far, according to the state's numbers, 22,000 students have registered to attend public schools here. We are also expecting a number of students to just "show up" when/after school starts up. In the past, public students did not have to register to attend their school...
As far as teachers go, there is a shortage; especially at the high school math and science level. The state is looking for 180 teachers to fill vacant positions.
colleen:
Good morning John and Mardele. Thanks for being with us today. Can you each get the discussion started by telling us briefly about the emergence of charter schools post-Katrina?
John Alford:
Colleen:
That's a big question, but I'll try to get us started. The emergence of charter schools post-Katrina is one of the brighter spots in the New Orleans recovery process. The public schools were notoriously neglected in the past and there is a lot of hope, that these entreprenuerial organizations will be able to deliver a better education to the students in New Orleans. Its a fascinating time for public school educators here and so many of us are excited about the opportunity presented before us. Some schools will do well and I am sure that some will not, unfortunately. But that is the beauty of the charter school model: there is accountability for those schools not living up to par.
That's a big question, but I'll try to get us started. The emergence of charter schools post-Katrina is one of the brighter spots in the New Orleans recovery process. The public schools were notoriously neglected in the past and there is a lot of hope, that these entreprenuerial organizations will be able to deliver a better education to the students in New Orleans. Its a fascinating time for public school educators here and so many of us are excited about the opportunity presented before us. Some schools will do well and I am sure that some will not, unfortunately. But that is the beauty of the charter school model: there is accountability for those schools not living up to par.
Angela Ivey:
What challengs are schools facing in re-opening?
Have most of your students and teachers returned?
Have most of your students and teachers returned?
John Alford:
There are several challenges for charter schools that are opening and re-opening. First, there is the facilities problem. Many of these schools were damaged in the hurricane so the state has worked with FEMA to get the buildings up to par in time for school. That hasn't always been a timely thing, so today for instance, there was an announcement that 4 schools would be delaying their first day of school due to facility issues.
The next challenge is the teacher shortage. Its really hard to find a high school math and science public school teacher in the country: its especially hard in New Orleans and there is a shortage of these teachers. Some schools will be looking for teachers to go through emergency certification, as an example.
Lastly, it was very difficult recruiting kids since many students are not living in their same homes as they were pre-Katrina. So schools that were open before the storm have student populations that are totally different now. Many of their former students have moved out of the city.
About 1/3 of the students have returned and we don't have any data on what % of teachers have returned.
The next challenge is the teacher shortage. Its really hard to find a high school math and science public school teacher in the country: its especially hard in New Orleans and there is a shortage of these teachers. Some schools will be looking for teachers to go through emergency certification, as an example.
Lastly, it was very difficult recruiting kids since many students are not living in their same homes as they were pre-Katrina. So schools that were open before the storm have student populations that are totally different now. Many of their former students have moved out of the city.
About 1/3 of the students have returned and we don't have any data on what % of teachers have returned.
Angela Ivey:
Have many students returned this school year? Are the schools ready?
John Alford:
So far 22,000 students have enrolled in the public and public charter schools thus far. Many schools are not open so there may be more students that will enroll. Pre-storm, there were 65,000 students so approximately 1/3 of the students have returned.
The schools for the most part, are ready. They've worked really long hours to prepare themselves and they are ready.
The schools for the most part, are ready. They've worked really long hours to prepare themselves and they are ready.
Mardele Early:
There are 345 students enrolled at Lake Forest Elementary Charter School. Lake Forest oopened in April with about 66 students for the fourth quarter. There are some schools in the New Orleans area still waiting to open. This is a result of building challenges. However, the city is ready to service all of our students. Everyone is working very hard to make sure all students receive a quality education.All schools that are scheduled to open will be opened by the end of this week.
Anthony Jones:
What promise do charters hold as a way to transform public education in Nedw Orleans?
John Alford:
Anthony:
The promise is that they will manage the schools here in an efficient and ethical manner. The school district here was very inefficient and very corrupt. It was so bad that the FBI moved an investigation team into the school district administration building. Charter schools will provide more choice in the system and more accountability. There's a new architecture and construction themed high school opening up for instance. All of the choice equates to better options for parents and students.
The promise is that they will manage the schools here in an efficient and ethical manner. The school district here was very inefficient and very corrupt. It was so bad that the FBI moved an investigation team into the school district administration building. Charter schools will provide more choice in the system and more accountability. There's a new architecture and construction themed high school opening up for instance. All of the choice equates to better options for parents and students.