Controversial. Effective. Racially integrated.

A few magnet schools and some public schools in white neighborhoods were the exceptions. Ben Franklin Senior High School, a college prep magnet was an one of these exceptions holding the distinction of being the best public school in the state according to its test scores.

Selective admissions schools make sense. Especially at the high school level, these schools reward achievement and interest by students. New Orleans is beginning to offer selective admission academies. The first few were all about academics. High IQ's, grades and test scores were rewarded with top flight College Prep high schools.

Lately other specialties have begun to emerge. The International School requires French language proficiency. NOCCA selects for musical talent. We are testing the waters and there is interest and opportunity.

The Construction Academy has yet to open but could specialize in construction, construction management and architecture. With a clear focus, internships with local firms like Boh Brothers, Broadmoore and Gibbs would be easy.

The BioSciences Institute could graduate medical paraprofessionals ready to work or go on to college with a headstart on the MCAT's or a Nursing Degree. The Turing Academy could graduate high school students with Microsoft certification in programming, administration and security. Hospitality Management could find a ready market for all its graduates in New Orleans and develop symbiotic relationships with national programs like the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.

The current controversy has to do with the metrics used to judge schools not with education. In my opinion we are still arguing over the arrangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic. Administrators compete for the best students because they deliver the best test scores.

Better metrics, better schools, more performance, less controversy, more achievement, we need innovation not bickering. When we decide to make the pie bigger, not just split it more evenly, we'll all start to get better.