LFC’s Ann Duplessis: NAACP out of step, bound by outdated ways of thinking

By Paul Dauphin

On Saturday, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ratified a proposal calling for a moratorium on public charter school expansion. Ann Duplessis, president of the Louisiana Federation for Children, called the NAACP’s resolution disappointing and shortsighted.

“This is an organization that historically has been looked upon to help African-American families and children have better outcomes. I just don’t understand it – politics at its best,” said Duplessis.

As a former Louisiana State Senator, Duplessis fought successfully to expand educational options – including charter schools. She said it is unfortunate that the NAACP has overlooked the positive impact charter schools have made in Louisiana and across the country.

“We have had tremendous success with charter schools in Louisiana and more specifically in New Orleans. Over 90 percent of school-age children in New Orleans attend a charter school. We are seeing phenomenal results.”

Duplessis said the moratorium reveals an organization that is simply out of step. “The NAACP needs leadership that is forward thinking and innovative, not bound by an old mentality and outdated way of thinking. Their membership must rethink this position.”

-30-

The American Federation for Children’s statement in response to the NAACP ratifying an anti-public charter school proposal: http://bit.ly/2elqqrE

Ann Duplessis is a former state legislator where she served on the Senate Education Committee and fought successfully to expand educational options for Louisiana’s children by authoring and supporting numerous pieces of school choice legislation. Duplessis resides in New Orleans and remains active in numerous civic activities.