About the Cowen Institute's Public Policy Work

The Cowen Institute's policy team frames the issues impeding the success of the public education in New Orleans and develops and advances research-based policy and legislative solutions. We continuously inform leaders in local, state, and federal government of the issues relevant to the city’s system of public schools. Our team actively works with policymakers, administrators, and community leaders to advance solutions through advocacy efforts. This role is critical given the decentralized approach to operating schools in the city. Our efforts ensure the success of every public school in the city by advocating for adequate and equitable funding, safe facilities, an effective governance model, and strong accountability of schools.

Governor Jindal Diverts Edujobs Funding from Schools

Nearly two months after the U.S. Department of Education approved Louisiana’s application for $147 million for education jobs under the federal Education Jobs Fund , State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek informed school districts last Wednesday that they will not receive their shares of the funding after all. The new federal program was designed to provide money to local districts to support K-12 education jobs, and was projected to save or create over 2,000 jobs in Louisiana. Instead, the Jindal Administration decided to use the money to fill other budget holes and support higher education. While these areas may have funding shortfalls that need addressing, the move goes against the purpose of the jobs funding and creates problems for local school districts, many of which were counting on the funding and had already incorporated it into their budgeting and planning. Some district officials say now they won’t be able to follow through with planned education programs and teacher hiring and benefits. For more on this story, see coverage in The Advocate, The Daily Iberian, and the Shreveport Times.

Cowen Institute Releases Public Opinion Poll on New Orleans Schools

Last week the Cowen Institute released the results of its second annual public opinion poll, K-12 Public Education through the Public Eye: A Survey of the New Orleans Community . The poll surveyed New Orleans voters to assess their opinions about recent public education reforms and the future direction of public schools in New Orleans. Few communities have the opportunity to think through the organization of their public school system in a way that the city of New Orleans has had and will continue to have over the next few years. As part of the Cowen Institute’s work on informing the educational transformation that is taking place in New Orleans, providing the community with a voice is crucial to sustaining positive change. To read highlights of the poll’s findings as well as the full report, click here.

Midterm Elections and Federal Education Policy

The midterm elections on November 2 brought big changes in leadership across the country, with the Republicans taking control of the House of Representatives, gaining seats in the Senate, and governorships across the country changing hands. What will the changes mean for education policy? In the House, Representative John Kline of Minnesota will take over chairmanship of the Education and Labor Committee from Representative George Miller of California. Miller was a big supporter of increased education funding; Kline has said he will focus on strengthening oversight and local control, and has been skeptical of common standards and assessments.

The biggest issue looming in the next Congress will be reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as No Child Left Behind. This issue has been percolating throughout the current Congressional session, but without much movement since the Obama Administration put most of its education effort into Race to the Top and other reform programs. The White House says ESEA reauthorization is a priority for next year, but many education policy watchers think that it will be unlikely that the Administration and Congress will be able to come together and pass an updated ESEA anytime soon.

Finally, the current Congress will likely have one major education vote in its lame duck session: whether to provide more money for Race to the Top. The fiscal 2011 appropriations bill for the Department of Education is on Congress’ agenda, and it must decide how much funding, if any, to provide for extension of the Race to the Top program. The Administration has asked for $1.35 billion; Congress seems likely to provide some, but not all, of that amount.

New Website Details School Construction

The Recovery School District has a new website with information about school construction and renovation under the School Facilities Master Plan for Orleans Parish. It includes details about each school project, as well as a schedule of upcoming groundbreakings. Check it out at www.rebuildingnolaschools.com.

Discussion on Governance of New Orleans Schools Continues

In early December, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is scheduled to vote on Superintendent Paul Pastorek’s recommendation on the future governance of Recovery School District schools in New Orleans. Last month, BESE held a standing-room-only public meeting in New Orleans, with dozens of people speaking on a wide range of issues during the 3½ hour event. See the Times-Picayune’s coverage for more on the meeting.

Subsequently, the Louisiana Department of Education created a webpage to accept public comment on the issue. Click here to go to the site.

Whatever decision BESE makes regarding RSD school governance at its December meeting, there is clearly a desire in the community for BESE to hold more meetings in New Orleans regarding the RSD. Fortunately, the state legislature recently passed a law, Act 697, requiring BESE to hold such meetings quarterly starting next year. The first meeting is already scheduled, for March 23, 2011. We look forward to seeing more BESE meetings in New Orleans next year.

Surveying the Public High School Landscape in New Orleans

Last month, the Cowen Institute released a report called Surveying the Public High School Landscape in New Orleans . It presents a detailed assessment of the current state of public high schools in New Orleans and the extent to which they are preparing our students for college and careers. Most high schools, especially the lowest performing ones, have demonstrated significant academic gains in the past few years. Yet graduation rates, the percentage of students passing graduate exit exams, and the state-determined School Performance Scores indicate that public high schools in New Orleans have much work to do to improve outcomes for all students. It is our hope that this report will serve as a tool for education leaders, students and their parents, community members, and other stakeholders to evaluate the performance of high schools in New Orleans today. To read it, click here.

The Times-Picayune also covered the issue of high school performance recently, reporting on our brief and on RSD Superintendent Paul Vallas’ plans to improve high schools. Click here for the article.