A Tulane University think tank has issued its annual report on public education in New Orleans, noting strides made in performance since the state assumed authority over most of the city's schools, but also citing the need for numerous improvements.
The Cowen Institute's report, released Wednesday, comes as fewer New Orleans public schools are deemed to be failing and more students are achieving at least basic, grade-level performance. But only 19 percent of New Orleans public school students have shown mastery of subject matter.
The Cowen report says problems posed by the divided system of governance in New Orleans — the state oversees most schools while the Orleans School Board still oversees some — are being addressed. For instance, it said all public schools are using the same expulsion policy.