The New Education Paradigm in New Orleans by Matthew Lynch

On April 3, 2007, I participated in the Gulf Coast Economic Summit held in New Orleans; sponsored by Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow Push Coalition. I was invited to serve on a panel of national educational leaders. We were asked to commentate on the “Racial Academic Achievement Gap,” and since I had written a book on the same topic, I was anxious to lend my expert advice.

The event was held at the Sheraton on Canal Street, which is located in the cities famous French Quarter. When I inquired as to where my panel would be convening, I was told to report to Rhythms 2, which turned out to be a large ballroom on the second floor. The first event of the day was entitled “The New Education Paradigm in New Orleans.” In New Orleans the public school system is a that which has parents facing a myriad of choices, challenges, and chance. This panel discussed several pertinent issues, including charter schools, and the quality of schools. I was shocked to find out that the schools were woefully over crowded, under staffed and that over 300 students were on waiting lists for school placement. Rev. Jackson made an appearance, thanking everyone for coming out to support the event. As I sat in my seat, I was awestruck by Rev. Jackson’s stature. During the Panel Discussion Rev. Jackson was standing directly beside me. Later on this month, Jackson plans to facilitate a march into the 9th ward of New Orleans as a non violent protest of the current state of education. He hopes that before then the local government will make some concessions that will preclude the necessity of organizing the march.

The panelist’s and audience members frequently commented on the problems that the schools faced, but I never heard anyone talk about possible solutions. They frequently divulged the names of school board members and higher ups that they held responsible for the problems but I did not hear anyone admit that the local citizens were also to blame. They didn’t realize (or care) that it is everyone’s (teachers, citizens, politicians) job to ensure that our children receive an adequate education.

When this panel concluded, Jay Augustine, the Master of Ceremonies, informed the audience that after a brief recess, a National Panel would be convening to commentate on the “Racial Academic Achievement Gap.” Also, he informed the audience that we would be analyzing the factors that are responsible for this phenomenon and also offer solutions to eradicate it. My fellow panelists and I quickly realized that the local citizens were only interested in assuming the role of victim as opposed to fighting back. When our panel began, only about 50% of the original audiences were still there. Bonita Carr, National Education Director for Rainbow Push, conveyed her frustrating by frequently commenting on this fact. When it was my time to speak I kept it short and sweet, commentating only on the factors that cause the achievement gap and offering solutions that teacher and parents can use to bridge it. I left the event frustrated and dejected, pondering, what did we really accomplish?