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After attending the event Ten Years After Katrina: Education Reform in New Orleans at the American Enterprise Institute, I am left with many thoughts. A bit of confusion of course, since I am still learning when it comes to education reform and all of the technicalities that come with it, but I was also very unsettled and surprised. I had no idea until I started interning at The Center for Education Reform (CER) of all of the organizations, people, and work put into reforming education. I also would never have guessed that there were conferences held in Washington D.C. that focus on New Orleans’ successes and struggles (specifically regarding education) still 10 years after the hurricane hit.

The speakers began from a general viewpoint, talking about education, and focusing on areas such as Memphis, Tennessee and Boston, Massachusetts. I really liked the fact that people and organizations care and are passionate about school systems in other cities. The panelists were so knowledgeable about these cities; they were shooting out statistics left and right, as well as answering in-depth questions. I applaud their knowledge and passion of education.

Although I was so impressed by the knowledge of the speakers, in my mind I still always ask one question: How much do conferences, policies, and formal business meetings really help? The real world is so much different than a formal business conference – there is such a big gap between what is happening in New Orleans (and all over the country) and what the speakers are saying. So many people from the audience ask “so HOW do we do this?” and sometimes the panelists would say, “The only question is HOW do we keep this policy in place and functioning?” There are so many “how” factors that it is quite overwhelming. One panelist said “kids can’t put their education on hold and keep waiting for adults to get their act together!” I agree with that and it reminded me of the situation in Washington State where children and families have their charter school seats threatened by the adults/courts who are making the decisions. However, on a positive note, people are getting their act together by having conferences, being concerned, and opening organizations that work for education reform. Although I previously said that it is hard for me to understand how conferences and talking and such will actually help to make a change, in the long run I know it does.

Overall, this conference was a great experience and very eye opening. There is no simple solution to anything, as I used to think. I now am beginning to understand all of the technicalities of education reform, whereas I didn’t as much before. I like knowing that there are people working to help cities such as New Orleans, and many other places across the country. I had a very nice time and I hope I am lucky enough to attend another conference sometime soon!

Gianna Manzella, CER Intern