Just stumbled across the answer to your question... http://spotlight.encarta.msn.com/Fe..._article_HighSchoolBeatKatrina.html?GT1=27004
Thanks for the article. So, apparently, Ben Franklin is still a magnet school? The article stated that students must have certain test scores, in order to attend the school. That's nice--it truly is, but it does not even begin to help solve any of the problems New Orleans' public school system faces. In the US, we "lag" behind other industrialized countries in education because we, unlike other nations, insist on educating each and every child in our land--even those who are here illegally. New Orleans schools can be successful by cherry-picking their students, but what becomes of the rest of the kids? I can't imagine how hard it would be to teach some of those kids, who will have zero support from home. And I'm not only talking about parents that will stay on them about school--but income (don't have to be wealthy, however) and having educated parents is a big determining factor in how successful a student will be.
Could not think of Entergy, but that kind of makes my point. New Orleans is the largest city in the state, and one of the busiest ports in the country but has only one Fortune 500 company with a shot at two? I am sorry but that is pathetic. You can count Covington I suppose, but is that an indicator that NOLA is on the rise? Or that it hasn't been down for a very long time? Right now NOLA is tied with Monroe for Fortune 500 companies. This is completely on the environment that the local/state govt has imposed upon business. Right now I have 2 daughters and 6 nephews and nieces in college. Not a single one of them is even considering remaining in La. The job opportunities are simply not there. Not unlike LSU and home grown talent. You want them to come to your school, you better be competitive with schools out of state. La. has been losing most of its talent for a very long time.
Sad news to report is that Louisiana is ranked no.1 in crime and New Orleans is ranked no. 2 in crime. These stats don't help recruit companies looking for a place to move their headquarters.:dis: This was reported by AOL on the enternet last week.
I'm thinking of moving back to Louisiana; it's home and where family is... but I have doubts, especially considering I have a tot on the way. I'd like to play a part in improving Louisiana, but at the same time I'm concerned at the enormity of the task.
It depends where in Louisiana you want to live. There are parishes with good public schools, but none of them are the seven urban parishes where many of the jobs are. There are parishes with low crime, but it damn sure ain't New Orleans. The public school situation is slanted because of the huge numbers of private school children in the state that are taken out of the numbers. There are Louisiana private schools that rate quite high individually. On the other hand, the cost of living in Louisiana is very low for retirees. They no longer have kids in school and they no longer have to live in a city because of a job and can find a small town with low crime. If you like to fish--fresh or salt water-- there is hardly a place better than Louisiana. If you like to eat out--we eat really good in Louisiana, second rate restaurants just can't last here. It's important to know that culturally Louisiana is three states. 1. North Louisiana, including the Florida Parishes-- Redneck Country. Mostly white, protestant, rural upland-south bible belt. 2. South Louisiana, especially Acadiana-- Cajun Country. Mostly white, catholic, let-the-good-times-roll, rural coastal plain. 3. New Orleans--Creole Country. Mostly black, mixed religions, music/entertainment, urban scene.
Bossier city was recently named the "Best place in Louisiana to raise a family". I moved here from West Monroe and was worried about what kind of place I was bringing my family. I have to admit, it's starting to grow on me. http://shreveporttimes.com/article/20081119/BOSSIER/811190316 Great schools...very nice neighborhoods for the money...low crime rate ...everything you need within a few miles drive...and I bought at the perfect time to take full advantage of the Haynesville Shale buy up! All in all, I can't think of a better place to be in our great state. Lake Charles was #2 on the list.
Bossier City has done a lot of things right. They certainly seem to learn from the mistakes of Shreveport.
