With an Unusually Hands-On Role, State Feels Its Way in New Orleans

Louisiana officials take hits amid strain to start schools.

A year after Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on New Orleans, the state of Louisiana finds itself in the highly unusual position of essentially starting from scratch—and directly operating—a batch of public schools in the city.

While much attention has focused on the many charter schools serving New Orleans students, the state itself is expected to run at least 17 schools this fall, far more than originally envisioned. Through the so-called Recovery School District, the state is selecting a curriculum and textbooks, hiring principals and teachers, ordering furniture and computers, and even setting up a dress code, just as any school system would.

Although other states have taken over local school systems and individual schools, experts say that, like many other aspects of the rebirth of New Orleans, Louisiana’s role in basically creating and running a whole set of schools...