EBR Public Schools Shrinking, Despite Job Growth
Published: Sep 8, 2006
A study of Capital Area public schools found that while East Baton Rouge Parish added 80,000 jobs between 1980 and 2000, public school enrollment dropped by 15,000 students. During that period, public schools in Ascension and Livingston Parish added 9,000 students and local private and parochial schools added 9,000 students. One of the reasons for the drop could be the poor perception of East Baton Rouge schools. The same study revealed that 19% of East Baton Rouge Parish residents gave the public school system a grade of A or B. That's compared to the 92% of people in West Feliciana Parish and the 88% in Livingston Parish who thought their public schools deserved an A or B.
The study was the fourth in a five part report being released by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. The study will conclude with a series of potential reform initiatives to improve public schools and student performance. To read the study, go to the chamber Web site at brac.org.
Story originally published in The Daily Report
