Tagged: schools

Louisiana's education department is soliciting ideas from nontraditional places, seeking to offer students new academic courses, skills training and work-based apprenticeships outside of public school classrooms.

The new "Course Choice" program will begin in fall 2013, after state education leaders choose from among the many applications from contracting groups, online course providers and colleges seeking state tax dollars to teach public school students.

St. Charles Parish public schools will remain closed until Tuesday, September 4, the parish announced today in a news release posted on its Facebook page.

All schools will remain closed during this time, and all athletic events, including those this weekend, are canceled.

Schools closed throughout the metro region, by parish.

This list is current as of the time and date at the top of this page. The list will be updated as more information becomes available.

Universities

St. Charles Parish has declared a state of emergency due to the approach of Tropical Storm Isaac.

Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. signed the order at 10:15 a.m., according to a press release from the parish, in advance of expected 105 mph winds, higher gusts, and storm surges between six and eight feet beginning Monday night and into Tuesday.

Louisiana didn’t become 41st in the nation on average ACT score because of public school performance alone. Public schools can’t take all the blame for why Louisiana keeps looking up at its peers on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Particularly in New Orleans, where 30 percent of the students attend private and parochial schools, the quality of this sector is critical to our city’s vitality.