When Paul G. Vallas became superintendent of the Recovery School District in May 2007, he promised to transform the learning environment and raise expectations in the district, which oversees most of the public schools in New Orleans. He is implementing sweeping district-wide reforms in the RSD, duplicating many of the initiatives that turned the school systems of Philadelphia and Chicago into nationally recognized models for education reform.
Under his leadership, RSD classrooms have been modernized with the latest technology for teachers and students, the curriculum has been standardized to align with state standards, and the school day has been lengthened to provide students with more instructional time on task. His administration also launched a comprehensive restructuring of the district’s high schools, supported by a nearly $6.4 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation.
His approach to reforming the RSD is one of inclusion to give parents, staff, community organizations, religious institutions and the New Orleans community a say in their schools. Superintendent Vallas has actively worked to improve the lines of communications with parents and staff, and to develop partnerships with leaders in the local business, civic and faith-based communities.
In his first year at the helm of the RSD, the district saw improved standardized test scores at every grade and in every subject, and a dramatic improvement in graduation rates. The district embraced data-driven decision-making based on six-week benchmark testing, increased professional development for school-based staff, dramatically improved student data collection, implemented the Response to Intervention (RTI) model to ensure the educational success of all students, and worked to develop an alternative schools network for students who are disruptive or overaged and underachieving. The RSD decreased spending on school security by 32 percent while improving school climate and safety.
In addition to classroom reforms, Superintendent Vallas’ administration is overseeing an unprecedented capital plan to rebuild schools in New Orleans. The $700 million initial phase of the plan calls for the construction of 22 new schools and the renovation of 10 schools over the next five years.
Prior to joining the RSD, Superintendent Vallas served Chief Executive Officer for the School District of Philadelphia from 2002-2007 and as Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001. He previously served as budget director for the City of Chicago and as revenue director for the City of Chicago.
Originally from Chicago, Superintendent Vallas received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and History in 1976 and a Masters in Political Science in 1980 from Western Illinois University. He and his wife, Sharon, have three sons.