The Future of Public Education in New Orleans
The Urban Institute
Paul Hill and Jane Hannaway
January 2006

Abstract:


The topic of this article is the uncertainty facing the New Orleans school system in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the state takeover of most of the city’s schools. The school system in New Orleans, the article maintains, should be cautious in allocating money to building repairs and construction as the city’s population distribution will likely be unstable for years to come. It asserts that recovery ought to center around efforts to recruit quality school leaders and teachers and to develop new schools. Funding should be drawn from charitable foundations, the state and the federal government to establish schools, develop student scholarships, authorize and monitor schools using state data systems and pay teachers competitive salaries.