Summary
New Orleans' schools have changed a lot in the 20 years since Hurricane Katrina. Almost all the schools are now charter schools, where private groups run them instead of the government. Some people think this has helped the schools, while others have mixed feelings about the change.
Key Facts
- Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans over 20 years ago, leading to major changes in the school system.
- Almost all New Orleans schools are now charter schools instead of government-run public schools.
- Charter schools are run by private groups who make many decisions about the school.
- Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary was one of the few traditional schools that resisted becoming a charter school initially.
- The number of students in New Orleans schools has dropped from more than 65,000 in 2005 to less than 44,000.
- Many school buildings have been renovated or rebuilt with over $2 billion from FEMA and other funders.
- Education researcher Doug Harris notes that test scores and graduation rates have improved since the switch to charters.
- Before Katrina, New Orleans schools had poor graduation rates and issues with resources and management.
