The New Orleans Equity Index

Creating a more equitable and excellent education system through intentional, transparent, and accessible data.

Educational Equity:

The educational policies, practices, and programs necessary to:

(a) eliminate educational barriers based on gender, race/ethnicity, national origin, color, disability, age, or other protected status; and

(b) provide equal educational opportunities to ensure that historically underserved or underrepresented populations meet the same excellent standards for academic performance expected of all students.

In New Orleans,

44%

of children live in poverty

85%

of public school students qualify for free or reduced lunch

26,000

young people ages 16 to 24 are not in school or working

50%

of kindergarteners start school vulnerable in a school readiness domain

These statistics disproportionately impact low-income children of color. But with the right information, New Orleanians have a history of coming together to address social and educational inequity.

The Problem

Policies, practices, and programs all contribute to the creation and institutionalization of persistent imbalances of power and privilege in education. Public school systems can perpetuate inequity by denying students access to quality educational opportunities and choices based on their race, class, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, language, and disability.

The Answer

Eradicating education inequity is possible. Reaching education equity requires an intentional, persistent, and ongoing effort that includes the voices, experiences, and solutions of all members of our community—particularly those who are most marginalized.

Equity Index Project

Using school equity-related data, the Equity Index measures and reports on the component parts of educational equity in New Orleans. By improving transparency and accountability around practices and policies throughout the public school system, we can empower decisions about education and advocate for a more equitable environment for our students.

Team

The New Orleans Equity Index is a partnership between Orleans Public Education Network, Converge for Change, and the Louisiana Center for Children's Rights, with generous funding from Baptist Community Ministries.

Conceived in 2015, the project is guided by a steering committee made up of representatives from 11 organizations with a diversity of perspectives and commitments to education equity.

View the Index

A beta version of the Equity Index tool is available now: stay tuned for the launch event coming September 2017. Click here to read the beta disclaimer, email us to request access, or visit the site to sign up for updates!

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