Problem - In Spring 1999, there were 76,948 students in the New Orleans Public School system – one sixth of the city’s population. Yet, their students scored at the bottom, or very near bottom, on standardized tests compared to all other schools statewide. Many people in New Orleans had lost faith in their public schools.
Solution - Working closely with the Greater New Orleans Education Foundation, the Schools CEO and Chief Academic Officer, we helped galvanize the community to commit to school reform. Teachers, principals, parents and students signed a Declaration of Intent to Reform, as well as educational, civic, business, political and religious leaders of the community. We created a public campaign to bring this situation to the fore.
Result - In the following year, 8th graders scored best in English improvement out of 66 districts statewide, and seventh best out of 66 districts statewide in math improvement. 4th graders scored third best in English improvement out of 66 districts statewide, and fourth best in math improvement. Just as important, the people of New Orleans had another example that their community united in common purpose could resolve common problems together.