The Louisiana Department of Education recently released 2009 School Performance Scores (SPS). The latest report provides us with the opportunity to highlight marked improvement for Louisiana – not only over the last year – but over the last ten years. And I want to congratulate educators across the state for their tremendous effort and success.

When policy makers set the state’s 10-year accountability goal at 100 in 1999, we were unsure about how quickly the state could achieve that goal. In fact, the state had not administered a student assessment prior to setting the goal. The guiding force was the need for the state to improve at a pace that would allow it to move up from its ranking of last or near the bottom in most education measures.

While our 2009 State Performance Score of 91.0 is short of the 10-year goal of 100, the score represents a significant gain from the score of 69.4 that was achieved the first year, in 1999, as well as a substantial 4.7 gain from the 2008 score of 86.3.

Also notable are the measurable gains Louisiana has made in narrowing the gap between black and white students over the last ten years. The performance gap between black and white students has narrowed by more than 10 percent in English, and 9.8 percent in math. In fact, according to the 2009 Education Watch Report, Louisiana is the only state where the gap between African American and white students has narrowed significantly in both 4th grade reading and 8th grade math.

While it’s important for us to celebrate our state’s progress, these performance scores also bring to our attention the need to continue pushing forward with urgency. The number of schools with a School Performance Score below 60 has been drastically reduced -- from 388 in 1999, to 55 in 2009. But there are still more than 400 schools in Louisiana with a School Performance Score below 80, which means that about 40 percent of their students are performing below grade level. And more than 900 of our schools earned a score below 100, meaning that about 25 percent of their students are not proficient for their grade level.

So, still, far too many of our students are being left behind – and Louisiana must remain committed to implementing necessary reforms and focusing available resources on proven strategies if we are going to continue advancing our progress.

With that in mind, the Department is working with policy makers and educators across the state to aggressively pursue the federal Race to the Top grant, valued at $4.35 billion.

This highly competitive grant application could provide Louisiana’s K-12 education community with an unprecedented level of resources – estimated at $250 to $300 million.

And this opportunity is not just limited to low-performing schools. Districts that choose to participate in the state’s Race to the Top application will have access to additional financial resources that they can use to turn around not just their lowest-performing schools – but schools that may be performing above the state average. And this potential aid comes at a crucial time for Louisiana – as we seek to build on our state’s accomplishments.

Louisiana public education is indeed in the midst of great promise, as evidenced by our proven ability to elevate the quality of our public schools and ultimately, improve outcomes for our students. But we cannot pause. The potential financial resources available to us through Race to the Top can assist us in our efforts to transform each and every one of our schools to world class education programs. Louisiana is in the race, and we intend to finish at the top.

Today I publicly announced my recommendation that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) place 10 public schools in the state’s Recovery School District (RSD). BESE will take action on that recommendation tomorrow, determining the future for these schools and 23 others that have been labeled Academically Unacceptable Schools (AUS) for at least four consecutive years.

The 10 schools the Department of Education (LDE) recommends placing in the Recovery School District include two schools from Caddo Parish and eight schools from East Baton Rouge Parish.

I want to reassure the communities that are affected by this recommendation that the decision to place these schools in the RSD came after careful consideration and thorough analysis. In the end, we made the recommendation based on our responsibility to provide the children in these schools with a high-quality education that adequately prepares them for a successful future. We believe the right choice in the case of these 10 schools is to place them under the direct control of the RSD.

For the other 23 schools eligible for state takeover, we are recommending a type of receivership to be carried out through a Supervisory Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). While the district can continue to operate the school, it will do so with the supervision of the Recovery School District. However, operating under receivership and remaining in the jurisdiction of the local district depends on whether the respective school board agrees to the requirements outlined in the Supervisory MOU between the District and LDE, including a related school Recovery Plan.

If the district fails to comply with the terms of the Supervisory MOU or fails to make progress toward the implementation of the school Recovery Plan during the first year of the agreement, the Department may exercise its option to place the school into the RSD.

Nevertheless, either action, placement in the RSD or operation under a Supervisory MOU, involves continued cooperation between LDE, the local district and the school community. As we make progress toward our ultimate goal of improving academic achievement at all 33 of these schools, I look forward to working with these school communities.

Specifically, I want to emphasize that there are many talented and dedicated teachers and administrators in these schools. I want to say to them that we realize these decisions have undoubtedly brought uncertainty into your lives, and over the next few weeks we will reach out to you to address your questions and concerns through faculty meetings and other communication. We value the tremendous effort you have put forth and look forward to working with you as we explore workable solutions to these complex challenges.

And last, but certainly top of mind, we want to emphasize to the students and families in these schools that the Department is determined to see to it that every child in this state receives a world-class education. And we will do whatever it takes to achieve that vision.

Thank you for visiting my blog, and I look forward to receiving your feedback. Also, for your reference, the link to today’s press release and Frequently Asked Questions around today’s announcement can be found at this link: www.LouisianaSchools.net.

On November 4, 2008, the citizens of the United States of America elected Barack Obama as their first African-American president.

For a nation founded on the principles of freedom and democracy that refused to extend equal rights and liberties to black Americans for almost 200 years, to many Americans the election of this country’s first African American president signifies a defining moment in our history and is celebrated with hope and pride for the progress this country has made.

For some, Obama’s victory was a reminder of the discrimination and prejudice that dominated American history for far too long and, despite significant progress, still exists today.

Others expressed the sentiment that the color of Obama’s skin was irrelevant and the election of a black president is “no big deal.” Sadly, some Americans have responded with expressions of bigotry and hatred with words and actions that have reopened old wounds and introduced a new generation to the hostility and division caused by racism and misunderstanding.

As the significance of Obama’s approaching presidency is debated across the world on blogs, talk shows and even from the pulpits of some churches, young Americans are clearly engaged in the effort to give meaning to his election. Their curiosity, insight, and participation are paramount in this conversation as they represent the future of this country.

While our state has had no reported incidents of conflict between students – which unfortunately has been reported elsewhere across the United States – discussions centering on the election of Obama are undoubtedly surfacing not only in our schools but also in homes and communities across Louisiana.

I encourage teachers, school leaders, families and community leaders to facilitate healthy, productive conversations about President-elect Obama and what his election means for our country, especially for African-Americans. If we, as adults, help young people talk about this event in a constructive, non-threatening way without limiting or down-playing their feelings, enthusiasm or anxiety, we can continue building bridges that will connect them to a future where prejudice in this country has not only diminished, but has disappeared.

Seven years ago our nation was attacked. It is a moment in history we will never forget.

Yet, despite the chaos and destruction caused by the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, our nation rose to the occasion and remains steadfast in its beliefs of liberty and democracy for all people. As citizens of this country, it is our duty to see that those core beliefs on which this nation was founded continue to reign supreme.

The anniversary of 9-11 reminds us all that we are a nation rich in opportunity, and that as individuals, each of us enjoys the right to achieve anything we can imagine. We know that is not the case in many parts of the world. My message today is primarily geared to students, our future leaders. I urge you to seriously pursue your education so that you are equipped to not only succeed in your own life, but so that you are also armed with the knowledge and wisdom to advocate for liberty and justice throughout our world.

A nation of informed, educated citizens cannot and will not be overpowered.

Peace to you and your families.

Superintendent Paul Pastorek

Today the Louisiana Department of Education issued a report on the status of school districts across the state. (PLEASE NOTE: The report is subject to change. The local school district may make adjustments.) In summary, those school districts located in parishes hit hardest by Hurricane Gustav, primarily in the south central, southeast and central part of the state are indicating they will not be prepared to resume school before Monday. In some cases, particularly where the eye of the storm passed along the Gulf Coast, it will likely be beyond that date, and perhaps as much as a week or two before classes can commence. The western, southwestern and northern parts of the state were spared the immediate effects of Gustav. However, as a result of very heavy rains and tornados sustained in the aftermath of the storm on Tuesday and today, additional school communities outside the path of the storm may have to postpone classes beyond Thursday.

Operations of almost all schools have been halted since Friday, August 29 when the state braced for as Hurricane Gustav.

"As we anticipated, school districts in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, Assumption and other parishes in the south are reporting notable damage to school buildings and severe power outages. We are continuing to work with districts as they assess the damages and make adjustments to accommodate students and families in their school communities," said State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. "Many local superintendents and education officials and working very hard under difficult circumstances to reopen schools for students as fast as possible. Because of great planning and post storm collaboration, these local officials are bringing schools back remarkably fast. The good news is that there are some areas in the state that are ready to resume classes Thursday, and even those who have been substantially impacted seem well prepared and are working to serve their communities. However, there are some locations that have been too heavily devastated and continue to be pelted with rains and tornadoes, and it is just too early to tell when schools in several parishes can reopen. We encourage families to stay tune to their local media for updates."

For information on school district closures, please visit the Department of Education website at http://www.louisianaschools.net/ or refer to the attached list of updated closures.

List of Updated Closures