Adults in New Orleans usually advocate for bettering youth experiences however not often contain younger individuals within the course of. Faculty efficiency scores, crime charges, and soccer scores dominate headlines, together with tales of people’ “resilience.”
Essentially the most essential views are lacking from this dialog: these of our younger individuals themselves. What desires have they got for his or her lives in New Orleans? How do they view the establishments meant to serve them? What sources and help would enable them to thrive? And maybe most significantly, how can we transfer past celebrating resilience, to create a metropolis the place younger individuals don’t should be resilient simply to outlive?
Since 2019, the Schooling Analysis Alliance for New Orleans has led a coalition of neighborhood organizations devoted to amplifying the voices of this metropolis’s youth. The outcomes of the first Citywide Youth Survey shared an optimistic perspective of scholars’ aspirations and beliefs within the significance of schooling, however the final survey, accomplished after the COVID-19 pandemic, noticed worsening tendencies in each areas.
College students did report higher perceptions of educating and fairness of their colleges, together with larger social help, however psychological well being considerations have solely elevated. These surveys have additionally revealed deep, persistent racial divides in how Black and White college students expertise their colleges and neighborhoods.
These surveys are created not simply to level out issues—however to open doorways to vary. Armed with the survey’s information, neighborhood organizations have pushed for very important reforms, advocating for Black college students’ entry to superior programs, extra skilled academics, and expanded psychological well being companies. Some college leaders have taken the chance to regulate their practices, resembling implementing stronger mechanisms for pupil enter in decision-making and bettering college students’ sense of belonging.
These efforts are all geared toward addressing the wants of New Orleans’ youth, With the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaching, this work underlines the place progress has been made and which areas nonetheless require work.
This yr’s 2024-2025 New Orleans Citywide Youth Survey marks the third version of its type, and it will likely be our best and most difficult enterprise but. Along with offering up to date insights from college students in public colleges, the survey will even embrace non-public colleges for the primary time. If we wish to create a greater future for our metropolis’s youth, we have to hearken to the voices of all college students, and we have to do it now.
Supporting New Orleans youth begins with asking higher questions, and listening to college students’ views. The Citywide Youth Survey provides a novel alternative to do exactly that. Should you’re a faculty chief, make sure that your college students have the prospect to take part on this nameless, 20-minute survey. Should you’re a part of the non-public or public college neighborhood, encourage your college chief to enroll. And if you happen to’re a mum or dad of a center or highschool pupil, urge your baby to take the survey severely—it’s a chance to talk up on behalf of all college students.
Let’s not miss this opportunity to hear, be taught, and act.
Please join HERE for extra data.
Jamie M. Carroll and Denise Woltering Vargas are the Affiliate Administrators for the Schooling Analysis Alliance for New Orleans, a analysis middle that collaborates with native schooling stakeholders to provide goal, rigorous, and helpful analysis to tell the neighborhood’s understanding of tips on how to enhance college students’ experiences in colleges and past. The signatories beneath and the remainder of the steering committee work collectively to make sure the New Orleans Citywide Youth Survey program gives important data to high school and metropolis leaders about tips on how to assist New Orleans youth thrive.
Since 2019, the Schooling Analysis Alliance for New Orleans has led a coalition of neighborhood organizations devoted to amplifying the voices of this metropolis’s youth, together with the signatories beneath.
SIGNATORIES
Dr. James Dabney, Ph.D., Govt Director, New Orleans Youth Alliance
Dr. Amanda Hill, Govt Director, Cowen Institute at Tulane College
Tamiko Massey-Haynes, Director of Admissions and Particular Initiatives, St. Mary’s Academy
Terrence Lockett, Govt Director, Schooling Reform Now-Louisiana
Kate Mehok, CEO, Crescent Metropolis Faculties
Dana Peterson, CEO, New Faculties for New Orleans
Vincent Rossmeier, Coverage Director on the Cowen Institute at Tulane College
Cate Swinburn, Co-Founder, President & CEO, YouthForce NOLA
Associated
