New Leaders for New Schools in New Orleans
Public Education in New Orleans
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Public Schools were arguably one of the worst in the country. Student achievement was among the lowest in the country, half of public school students were not graduating from high school, the district was on the verge of bankruptcy, and many of the school buildings were in desperate need of repair.
Snapshot: In 2004-2005, 11% of 4th grade students in New Orleans scored at or above proficiency in English Language Arts and 8% of 4th grade students scored at or above proficiency in math. [NO:LEAP 21/GEE 21 2004-2005 Annual Report]
With most of the public education system in New Orleans destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has been presented with a historic opportunity to transform its school system into a sustainable model that will ensure high levels of achievement for all students. If proven successful, the model in New Orleans will set a nationwide precedent for urban education reform.
The following resources can provide you with additional context about the pre-Katrina and current state of education in New Orleans.
Impact of New Leaders for New Schools in New Orleans
The partnership with New Orleans is focused on recruiting, training, and supporting school leaders who are prepared with the beliefs, skills, and experiences to generate dramatic changes in student achievement in public district and district charter schools in New Orleans. New Leaders for New Schools is working with public district and public charter schools in New Orleans and its coalition partners from the public and private sector to recruit and develop approximately 40 outstanding New Leaders by 2010 to impact approximately 16,000 students annually in New Orleans' Public Schools. New Leaders' Residents are placed at both district and open-enrollment, public charter schools.
Read what the press has to say about New Leaders for New Schools in New Orleans
"The Greatest Education Lab"
TIME Magazine, September 17, 2007
"The Schools that Katrina Built"
Boston Globe, October 14, 2007
"A proven superintendent and a hotshot group of educators are inspiring others to bring their skills to New Orleans"
The Times-Picayune, May 25, 2007
"Schoolhouse Rockers"
Gambit Weekly, May 22, 2007
"New Orleans: Looking for a few good principals"
USA Today, April 2, 2007
"New Orleans native returns to repair schools"
The Boston Globe, March 25, 2007
Requirements for Admissions to New Leaders for New Schools in New Orleans
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited university
- A minimum of 3 years of full-time experience teaching in a K-12 classroom
- Hold or be eligible to hold a valid Louisiana Type B or Level 2 teaching certificate or have a comparable level out-of-state teaching certificate*
*Potential candidates for the New Leaders program in New Orleans who do not meet the above requirements may still apply if they possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university and have three years of K-12 teaching experience. However, if accepted, these candidates will not become certified and will only be eligible to become principals in charter schools (where certification is not required).
Profile of New Leaders Resident, Karen A. Bryan
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Teaching Experience: 13 years, Grades Kindergarten-7
School of Residency: Benjamin Banneker Elementary
"I've taught in urban schools in New Orleans for the past thirteen years, and it has been an extraordinary and rewarding experience to witness students surpass growth targets. I've worked with students who were labeled as troublemakers and low achievers, but with the use of effective educational strategies and data driven instruction, I provided the students with essential tools needed for them to become successful learners.
I joined New Leaders for New Schools because the training and support will enable me to have an instant impact on teaching and learning, support and sustain successful educators, and model proven teaching strategies to educators to ensure all students achieve at high levels. New Leaders also provides an opportunity for me to work, grow, and learn from a community of professionals who share the same educational beliefs as I do, and who will work to help the children of the city where I was born and raised."
Living in New Orleans
The cost of living in New Orleans has increased since Hurricane Katrina, but it is still less than comparable size cities such as Washington,D.C. During the year of residency, New Leaders' can expect to receive a salary of $60,000-70,000. Here are several websites that can provide a relative idea of the cost of living in New Orleans.
For more information feel free to contact Lauren Rachal at lrachal@nlns.org.
