OPSB Releases 1st Part Of Fall Charter RFA, Highlights Goals For Career Readiness Partnership

NEW ORLEANS – At the July Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) Board Business Meeting on Thursday, July 20, Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr. and his staff presented highlights from the Citywide Career Readiness plan and announced the release of Part 1 of the application process for a special fall Charter Request For Applications (RFA) to the OPSB. 

         The OPSB also approved the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with InsipireNOLA and recognize plans for adding a diploma track at the Orleans Justice Center.

 

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Citywide Career Readiness Partnership Set New Goals for 2018

         To ensure Orleans Parish students are in line with the nation’s standards and goals for students after high school the OPSB, Recovery School District (RSD), YouthForce NOLA, the Urban League of Louisiana, and several other partner organizations have partnered on a Citywide Career Readiness plan.

         On Thursday evening, representatives from several groups presented their efforts to increase career readiness initiatives as well as career and technical education programming in New Orleans schools to the Board. The citywide program focuses on developing students’ academic skills as well as technical and soft skills while also providing work-based learning opportunities. In 2018 the program aims to have 250 students earn industry-recognized statewide credentials and 175 students complete the internship program.

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         The next phase of the program will be to build-out the New Orleans Career and Technical Center. The Center will provide high-quality, industry-informed, career and technical education training, credentialing and support for successful high school transition, post-secondary placement and persistence, reps said. Its aim is to multiply opportunities for New Orleans students to explore their career and college interests and serve as a key component of New Orleans’ commitment to ensuring public school graduates are poised for success in college and future careers.

         For more information

 

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OPSB Reveals Application Process, Special School Prospectus Section For Fall Charter RFA

         On Friday, July 21, the OPSB released Part 1 of a special fall Charter RFA.

         The Superintendent noted the OPSB was pleased to invite applicants for new, quality charter schools seeking to open in Fall 2018, or thereafter, to submit Part I of the Fall 2017 Charter RFA. In particular, the OPSB is seeking proposals from highly qualified applicants to open Type 1 transformation schools and Type 3 conversions of current district-operated schools.

         In addition to the required background and eligibility information, OPSB has added a third, optional School Prospectus. This section offers the applicant an opportunity to receive an early qualitative review of the fundamental characteristics of their plan and receive feedback prior to submitting a full charter application. The OPSB has contracted with an independent, experienced evaluator to provide written and in-person formative feedback prior to the submission deadline for the full charter application.

         In June, the OPSB announced it had received authorization from the Louisiana Department of Education to operate a second charter approval process this year, with the goal of giving approved operators ample time to transition in staff and administration for the 2018 – 2019 school year.

         Currently more than 90 percent of public school students attend charter schools in New Orleans. Only nonprofit organizations may hold charters in Louisiana and application teams must include three Louisiana teachers certified by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

         Part 2 of the Charter RFA will be released on Tuesday, August 1.

         For more information

 

Board Votes To Approve CEA With Charter Operator InsipireNOLA

         On Thursday evening the OPSB also voted to approve the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with charter operator InspireNOLA for the purpose of funding an Intervention Plan at Eleanor McMain Secondary School.

         InspireNOLA has requested additional funding to support programming at McMain throughout the first three years of the transition. This request was supported by a comprehensive needs assessment of McMain by InspireNOLA. As a result, it was determined that additional intervention would be required to support the academic and cultural programming at McMain. InspireNOLA has provided an Intervention Plan to address the needs identified in the comprehensive assessment. The Intervention Plan will require additional funding, and fulfills the public purpose of providing public educational programming.

         In light of the OPSB’s unanimous vote to transition McMain to InspireNOLA for operation as a Type 3 Charter and InspireNOLA’s presentation of a comprehensive needs assessment and related Intervention Plan to adequately support programming at McMain, OPSB Policy DC allows the transfer of 7.5 percent of McMain’s operating budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 to InspireNOLA to fund the required Intervention Plan.

 

Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman Joins OPSB In Championing Addition Of Diploma Track At Orleans Justice Center

         On Thursday evening the OPSB was joined by Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman to recognize the multi-agency agreement and commitment to launch an expanded school at the Orleans Justice Center. The expanded program will include the addition of a diploma track for students at the Center. The collaboration is part of a continuing commitment between the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) and OPSB to provide public safety and service to the citizens of Orleans Parish. As part of that commitment, OPSB is striving to provide the best possible educational experience to school eligible inmates in our care.

         OPSB currently oversees 33 schools, including 28 charter schools, four network schools and one educational program for students in secure care facilities.

 

         For more information

 

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