Recap: Policy Breakfast 2018 - Orleans Public Education Network

Notes, insights and live updates from Orleans Public Education Network’s 2018 Annual Policy Breakfast. Includes Q&A responses from representatives of Orleans Parish School Board, Louisiana Department of Education, Southern Poverty Law Center and more!

Psst - missed the breakfast, or want to refresh your memory? Check out the materials and speaker presentations at opennola.org/breakfastdocs!

Good MORNING, #nolaed! Y'all ready to talk #policyforthepeople? pic.twitter.com/O3SSXTLNEX

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Gonna tweet about #policyforthepeople for all my ED folks thats can't be here.

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Did you know the #policyforthepeople breakfast is also a graduation for our Louisiana @epfp_iel Fellows? First up, Dr. J. Celeste Kee of @artsedall, presenting on post-Katrina policy pathways to equitable arts education! pic.twitter.com/T2yZwbAWmX

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Problem 1: There's no formal mechanism to evaluate arts education in #nolaed -broad trends indicate barely a quarter of students are enrolled in a visual arts or art study class as of the 2015-16 schol year #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

In a city whose commerce, culture and soul are based on the arts, this lack of accessible arts curriculum is a problem. But… are there clearer skies ahead? #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

The latest version of Louisiana ESSA includes specific language "focused on providing… enriching experiences that promote a well-rounded education," complete with an "interests & opportunities" metric of school performance score. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Finally, a meeting with great food!

The content is pretty good, too. #policyforthepeople pic.twitter.com/jldQNtGMjN

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Celeste's recommendations: We have a clear policy pathway to increase access, but it should be coupled with metrics that evaluate *quality*, not just presence. Arts organizations are powerful untapped resources for collaboration. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Unfortunately schools often aren't able to conveniently find and work with these resources. Which is why @artsedall is creating a centralized database! #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Thank you, Celeste! Now for Robyn Madison-Harris of @EdPolicyAIR with "Accountability for All: Revamping Accountability to Accurately Appraise All Schools" #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Robyn is the former the principal of an alternative high school, and realized quickly the metrics she and her students were evaluated on absolutely did not reflect what was actually happening #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

I never even considered how hearing "you're attending an F-rated school" would affect the child. #policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Context: the work for alternative metrics began in the Picard and Pastorek administrations, and resurfaced recently under @LouisianaSupe #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

"There are two sets of data when we talk about school evaluation: SPS (grade level content mastery, EOC, state assessments) and CCR (cohort graduation rate, ACT scores, college enrollment). I contend that there is a lot missing there." #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

There are SO many things that could be captured in accountability that aren't currently: provision of tiered services, student-teacher ratio, social-emotional interventions, community partnerships… all are proven to contribute to success — #nolaed #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

but if they're not used in evaluations, schools have little formal incentive to try them out. #nolaed #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

And Robyn namechecks one of my favorite social theories — and a great metaphor for #edpolicy in general https://t.co/xmIMQrA1yZ #nolaed #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Recommendations! Here's the juicy bit: #policyforthepeople #nolaed pic.twitter.com/l4VF2Xxy1S

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Having gone through an "age old" public school district, it's so startling to hear what schools just 3 hrs west (in the same state) DON'T have. You mean these kids don't get daily art class? My mom STILL has my porcelain rainbow fish from 1st grade! #policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Audience Q: How does school climate and culture play into new accountability? A: In TX, there's a repository of resources — communities can submit surveys, get them evaluated by an @EdPolicyAIR professional, and turn them into a viable instrument #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

(If you ask us, relative student-growth-based metrics capture school quality far more accurately than absolute outcomes. But nobody listens to lil' old me…) #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Moving right into panel #1! "Different Schools, Same Rules" #policyforthepeople pic.twitter.com/HFFjcXkTam

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Jennifer Baird: For many years we've had two systems. Most people think of school letter grades as part of NCLB — in fact, it was part of a self-created Louisiana state accountability system that predates NCLB #nolaed #LaEd #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

"Many alternative schools in Louisiana self-brand as 'discipline schools' — but there are other reasons for them. With high-stakes testing, it was so easy for kids to fall two, three, four years behind" #LaEd #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Last year, Act 500 mandated a specialized accountability system for Office of Juvenile Justice schools. It does not replace but operates in addition to federal accountability system. You CAN do it side-by-side. #LaEd #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

.@NETPrincipal: There are so many negative perceptions around alternative schools. I've been told that you can't run a beautiful, loving, supportive school serving the kids we serve. #nolaed #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Nahliah: When you look at who ends up in alternative schools, it's really an equity case. Students of color, IEPs, disabilities — MASSIVELY overrepresented. So how do we shift accountability frameworks to actually address the problem? #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Baird: I think a couple of things have happened WRT accountability. We've disaggrgated metrics by subgroups, and you [a school] can't get an A if one of your subgroups are failing. Schools must create plan to address specific, data-based subgroup needs #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

The room is TIGHT now that an alternative school principal mentioned the lack of parent involvement in her school. #policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Audience member: I'm concerned about the language used here. My experience working with as a social worker, it's not parents failing children — it's systems. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Man this now feels like showtime at the Apollo. #policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Nahliah: Our work here is to challenge and change systems — which is why we are laying the responsibility at the feet of the system, not the people. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

What would it look like if schools and society measured student success by how well they did the things they enjoyed? #policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Sitting and discussing #policyforthepeople while one state over there’s a school shooting that “couldn’t be prevented”. pic.twitter.com/52f3616aoK

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Next panel's hot off the press, folks! @_OPSB's Dina Hasiotis and @danajhenry of @urbanleaguela talk Mapping Unchartered Waters: Oversight in a Unified School District #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

I’m gonna start inviting my friends into these spaces. This is stuff that everyone should be exposed to. #policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Hasiotis: Charter school acctbility framework has been in the works for over two years — come July 1st, we'll be seeing all 80 charter schools in the city #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Yes! What Could Be Possible if parents—and students!—were here. Necessary learning for ALL “stakeholders.” #policyforthepeople

— Sarah DeBacher (@Sarah_Dee) May 18, 2018

Previously, renewal decisions were based on one year of performance data; going forward it will be a multi-year assessment to better identify spikes or drops #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Schools still can earn a three or 10-year charter contract based on absolute performance, but to get the 10-year schools MUST demonstrate high progress index for disadvantaged/low-income students #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Wait. So a D charter school can get a renewal as long as it does better than other D schools!?

A D+ is now passong?

I need to speak to a few former professors

#policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

.@danajhenry The entire point is to make sure we're not shuffling kids around from one systemically underperforming school to another systemically underperforming school. And then we realized: a school's "D" grade doesn't mean they're not serving families #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Nahliah: We've talked a lot about "engagement," but what is the mechanism by which parent/community input actually gets codified into policy? Hasiotis: Currently, it's not in there in terms of formal evaluation but is taken into account #nolaed #policyforthepeople

Kaaay…

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Parent input is NOT a part of the final decision in school renewals.

BRUH.

You can do all the focus groups you want, but if the outcome isn’t being considered then it’s just another waste of resources. #policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Betty DiMarco: There's a HUGE problem with "A" rated schools not soliciting or using parent feedback. Because they're generally working with parents who are "easy" to work with. #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Contd: We had a "failing" school system before Katrina, and now we have a "new" one… that looks exactly like the one we had before. #nolaed #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

I have a simple solution that solves the “schools are doing more with less” talking point.

If a school is failing, then pour more resources into it.

The end. Elect me. #policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

You have my vote!

— Flozell Daniels, Jr. (@FlozellDaniels) May 18, 2018

Parent/teacher/student voice should be reflected in, and amplified by, accountability policy!??? #policyforthepeople

— Sarah DeBacher (@Sarah_Dee) May 18, 2018

YES! School ***communities*** should have a say in what is an important measure. #policyforthepeople

— Sarah DeBacher (@Sarah_Dee) May 18, 2018

Audience member: I don't think we're putting the attention at the school level on what nontraditional (ie non-test-based) metrics push progress forward, and how to collect them #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Sarah from @ERA_NOLA mentions that they are piloting a citywide youth survey on school satisfaction/climate/safety in the fall — challenged because there is no system mandate to provide this qualitative data #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Audience member Q: once schools are united, will they have same starting end dates and times? #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

A (paraphrased): Basically, no — don't want to impinge on schools' autonomy.

…Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.#policyforthepeople #nolaed pic.twitter.com/MElsQEHUls

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

.@danajhenry We're angry because it's a supply and demand issue. No matter how much you make or where you live, you want the best for your kids. And the fact is there's a demand for good schools, and little supply. We can't close down our way to quality. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

.@NOLA_BRAR speaking truth on how legacy Black schools like @McDonogh35 have mysteriously gone from "A"s to "C"s — and it's not because of the kids. #policyforthepeople #nolaed pic.twitter.com/9WmTHIyhhJ

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Hasiotis of the school board mentioned that the board is looking for ways to reinsert community members into schools and decision making positions.

Please remember NO fired over 7,000 veteran teachers after Katrina. Here’s one reaction to that comment. #policyforthepeople pic.twitter.com/tXAfdNm8ic

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

She had the NERVE to tell a room full of people that after years of lab testing on thousands of students, they’re ready to hand it back over to the city’s experts. #policyforthepeople pic.twitter.com/CkOh6Cc36H

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Last, but certainly not least — Interrupting the Pipeline: Updates from School Discipline to Juvenile Justice Policy, featuring Anna Arkin-Gallagher from @LAKidsRights, Florentina Staigers of @fflicla and @EquityAllPlaces, and Sarah Omojola of @splcenter #policyforthepeople pic.twitter.com/5E3E64v3sf

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

“What does it mean to be an autonomous decentralized system? Where does the power lie? What is the chain of command?” Still unclear, @_OPSB #policyforthepeople

— tiana nobile (@tiananob) May 18, 2018

Anna: Our clients usually come to us because they were arrested or referred to FINS (families in need of services) process. Most are not directly taken from school to the JJ system, but have continually felt frustrated, disconnected, discouraged by school #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Q:What is some of the work @fflicla is doing to disrupt the school to prison pipeline? #policyforthepeople #NOLAed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Florentina: WRT disrupting the pipeline, we look at it from a social determinants of health perspective. It's not inequity in terms of education; it's inequity in terms of life itself. There's a 25-year life expectancy difference btwn Lakeview and Treme. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

There is a 25 year life expectancy discrepancy between Lakeview and Tremé. Education matters. #policyforthepeople @OPEN_NOLA

— Dorothy Slater (@dorothy_slater2) May 18, 2018

Omojola: Let's think about how policy works. There's a hundred-odd people in Baton Rouge whose opinions, cultures, prejudices, ideas, all impact the rules that come down. You may think you're not important, but you're VERY important up there. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Contd, legislative update: SB89 mandates parents on charter school boards, goes to gov's office at end of session. HB509, also going to gov's desk, ensures that parents get individual school meetings about their child's IEP. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Contdx2: In the policy process, working with seven people is tough but doable. Working with seventeen people? Impossible. Large part of why policy process can get bogged down. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

"A school employee who witnesses an incident of bullying may take all
26 steps deemed necessary to stop the behavior, including reasonable force,
27 physical restraint, or removal of the offending student from the school grounds." SB303

BRUH.#policyforthepeople

— Kadyrion Lannister (@INeedja_Kadeeja) May 18, 2018

Nahliah: So you talk about "the fight" of moving legislation. Where are we currently, given the political landscape? What kinds of gains or… not so much gains… can we expect in the next year? #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Staigers, A: @RepWesleyBishop has been an amazing ally in terms of pushing racial equity legislation… If we were following the laws that were already in place, we'd have a completely different school system. Which brings us back to accountability. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Contd: The Juvenile Justice Act implementation Commission (of which @fflicla is a member!) can act as a watchdog to implement and hold govt bodies accountable for enforcing the rules

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Contdx2: We do expect the council to be putting forth [juvenile justice] legislation next year; now's our opportunity to hold their feet to the fire #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Omojola: Example — SB106, a cleanup measure for making sure children aren't held in juvenile facilities ("baby jail") indefinitely without review hearings. #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

DiMarco: I'm encouraged to hear Act 225 is incorporating restorative justice mandates — renouncing shame-based discipline policies should be required for charter renewal #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Audience Member: how do we get school districts to integrate restorative justice into charter renewal conditions? #policyforthepeople #nolaed

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Omojola, A: Okay, we're unifying… but that doesn't mean much. Schools are their on LEAs. They can do whatever they want. So the steps to including restorative justice/PBIS (things that we KNOW work) means 1. showing where schools are doing it well; #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Contd: 2. A coordinated campaign from parents and students talking about what's ACTUALLY going on in your school

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Staigers, A: Also, culturally, letting go of the punitive mindset — lessening the attitude of "these bad kids are ruining it for the rest of us." We know the solution. PBIS is an evidence-based practice — even @BESE_LA says there's support #policyforthepeople

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

@OPEN_NOLA Policy Breakfast had a powerful theme: Measure what matters to communities. #policyforthepeople

— ArtsEdPol (@ArtsEdPol) May 18, 2018

And that's a wrap for the #policyforthepeople Breakfast 2018! BIG HUGE THANKS to all of our speakers, guests and graduating Fellows! #nolaed pic.twitter.com/DvtqDr9YJd

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018

Want more #policyforthepeople material? Don't forget to check out the presentations at https://t.co/fyH2EIVYMo, and keep an eye out for the storified tweets and full panel recording coming soon!

— OPEN NOLA (@OPEN_NOLA) May 18, 2018