Voices of New Orleans Youth: What Do the City’s Young People Think About Their Schools and Communities?

Most cities have limited information about what their young people experience and how youth view their schools and communities. We know a great deal about student test scores, high school graduation rates, and neighborhood poverty rates, but these data points tell us little about students’ experiences or how public programs and institutions can better serve them.

A new study from the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans summarizes results from the first New Orleans citywide youth survey, which was conducted with local education and community organizations during the 2018-19 school year. Key findings are shared along with a discussion of the differences between the responses of white students and students of color, which is of particular importance, given the large share of people of color in the city and the long-standing inequities they have historically faced in school, community, and life opportunities.

Review the report.