NEW ORLEANS ― A Tulane University institute that studies changes in public education in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina announced the resignation of its executive director Monday, weeks after retracting a study on the city’s public high schools.
John Ayers’ resignation as director of the Cowen Institute for Public Education Initiatives is effective Nov. 30. The reason for his departure wasn’t released.
On Oct. 1, the institute issued a study which it said indicated that the city’s public high schools appeared to be exceeding expectations for the education of students suffering various disadvantages. But the institute retracted the statement nine days later. Ayers issued a statement saying the methodology was flawed and the results, therefore, were inaccurate.
The resignation was announced in a statement issued by former Tulane President Scott Cowen, a founder of the institute.
“I want to thank John for his contributions to the Cowen Institute, including assembling a talented staff, guiding a strategic planning effort and communicating our city’s educational progress as an ambassador for the Institute, K-12 education in New Orleans and Tulane University,” Cowen said.
He said the institute’s chief operating officer, Matt Bailey, will serve as interim executive director.
The institute was begun in 2007 to assess the effects of the post-Katrina school reform efforts, including the takeover of most New Orleans public schools by the state’s Recovery School District and the widespread use of independently run charter schools.
