OPEN promotes equity and excellence in education for all students through policy, advocacy, and leadership development. OPEN is committed to ensuring that parents, educators, community leaders, and the state leadership are informed of effective research-based practices, and supportive of putting these practices into action for all students.

Schools need parental, community involvement and advocacy in building a sustainable system to support the needs of all students and to produce meaningful educational outcomes for all. As part of our Theory of Change, OPEN stays active and informed in the policy world, disseminating data and empowering citizens to get involved. We are proud to be the only public forum for community voice to have a place in school governance.

OPEN Governance Series

In 2010 and 2012, OPEN held a series of public meetings dedicated to the future of governance in New Orleans public schools. Engaging over 1700 local residents on topics from juvenile justice to teacher quality, the series eventually led to the publication of THE PEOPLE’S AGENDA.

Click below to see the Governance Series recaps and presentations: