A New Start for the children of New Orleans

A common theme is emerging from those that evacuated New Orleans.  When asked when they plan to return to New Orleans, many say "I'm not."  Many have decided that their new adopted community is now their new home.  They are finding work, a place to live, and enrolling their children in school.  For many of these children this is the start of a new life.

The schools of New Orleans were in bad shape, even before Katrina.  In August, 65% of New Orleans public schools were rated as academically unacceptable by the state of Louisiana.  This rating was applied to only 12% of schools statewide.  The state has threatened to take over the school system due to historical problems such as fiscal mismanagement and political infighting.

Many of these children will now have a better chance for success in life due to an improved education in their new community.  Many of these schools do not have the problems that have plagued the schools of New Orleans.    These children will find themselves in a much better school and will receive a much better education than they would have without Katrina.

Source:

Thevenot, Brian and Ritea, Steve.  90 schools in metro area failing.  The Times-Picayune.
August 4, 2005.
http://www.nola.com/education/t-p/index.ssf?/base/news-2/112314078132590.xml