Recovery School District: Louisiana's Turnaround Zone

Overview

With its unique governance model – designed to support autonomy, flexibility and innovation – the Recovery School District (RSD) is a leading reform model for educators around the country and even around the globe as they search for solutions to transform low-performing schools.

Established by the Legislature in 2003, this state-administered school district intervenes when schools are deemed as failing for at least four consecutive years. In the 2009-10 school year, the RSD is providing direct or indirect support to 113 schools in 14 school districts across Louisiana. With its strong focus on recruiting and supporting highly effective teachers and school leaders, the RSD has established a successful track record over the course of just a few years and is garnering national respect for its significant progress.

The Aim

The Recovery School District is evolving to become a model:

• Composed of autonomous schools, led by high-quality school leaders.
• Focused on strong accountability measures and performance management.
• Administered through flexible governance options that can be tailored to accommodate the unique conditions and needs of each school community.
• Without attendance boundaries, allowing parents to choose from more than 20 high schools and more than 40 elementary schools.
• Providing substantial human capital support through recruiting, professional development, and school recovery teams.
• Implementing a high-quality, rigorous curriculum based on best practices, with the aim of increasing the relevancy of high schools to better prepare students for colleges and careers.
• Creating a culture of high expectations for students and staff.

Innovative Instructional Practices

Cultural norms and statutory requirements often restrict the ability of districts and schools to implement proven and innovative instructional practices. The RSD offers school leaders the latitude they need to achieve academic success and holds them accountable for making necessary gains. Some of the components that have contributed to its successes are:

• A comprehensive data-driven curriculum and instructional management system that is based on proven models (general education, interventions and enrichment).
• Increased instructional time on task in the form of a longer school day and year (schools operate from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., adding the equivalent of 25 instructional days to the school year.) In addition, students performing below Basic attend school for an additional five weeks.
• State of the art technology and virtual learning opportunities that enable students to meet the technological demands of the 21st Century. There are smart boards in all core classrooms and students enjoy a 1 to 1.5 laptop-to-student ratio. Even primary grades have access to laptops.

For more Information

Please visit the RSD website at
www.rsdla.net