Up First from NPR How Katrina Transformed New Orleans Schools
Aug 24, 2025
Aubrey Uhaus, an education reporter for WWNO in New Orleans, dives into the monumental changes in the city's school system post-Hurricane Katrina. The conversation spans the rise of charter schools and the challenges that plagued public education before and after the storm. Uhaus explores the mixed outcomes of these reforms, highlighting shifts in teaching staff and community responses. She also discusses innovative strategies in certain charter schools, emphasizing a need for diverse educational approaches to cater to student needs.
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Crisis Enabled Systemic Overhaul
- Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans and created a window to rebuild systems, including schools.
- State officials used that moment to rapidly restructure the city's public education system into charters.
Preexisting Laws Accelerated Change
- The state had legal mechanisms already to seize failing schools and accelerated takeovers after Katrina.
- Officials converted about 100 schools to charters quickly to decentralize and inject competition.
Autonomy Paired With High-Stakes Accountability
- New Orleans' charter system combined autonomy with strict accountability tied to test scores and contract renewals.
- Operators faced constant pressure: poor performance could close a school even after years of operation.