A very balanced look at charter schools in New Orleans. The reporting presents pros and cons with much context, which helps viewers come to a greater understanding of the charter issue. Both informative and accessible.

While it starts out like a commercial for charter schools, the story provides an unusual view of some of the shortcoming of charter schools. It is not an exhaustive view, but unusual in a media that has seemed uncritical and lacking balance. It fails to mention that New Orleans was charterized by the neocons after the floods chased out and weakened the citizen resistance.

At first, it sounds like an advertisement for charter schools....then slips into a limited critique....just the student special needs imbalance......Given the ten minutes, I would expect a broader critique....teacher credential requirements.....salaries....union issues...and student achievement results controlled for parent/household attention to education ......So although the piece is based on some facts.....I can't say that it is fair or in-depth....

This segment on charter schools in New Orleans gave overall statistics for schools in the area, as well as educational achievement data. In terms of fairness, John Merrow conducted interviews with individuals at all levels of the issue: a superintendent, school principals, teachers, students, and parents from both charter and non-charter schools. In the end I felt like I had enough information to evaluate the issue and form a personal view on the issue.