L.A. High: Charter School or School Closure?
Written by Steve Russell (S'64) | 
Due to low test scores and poor graduation rates for multiple years, Los Angeles High School (LAHS) is now on the Public Schools Choice (PSC) list, which means that management of the school is going out for bid. Included among the possibilities are a charter school and even closure.
The first public meeting to explain the PSC initiative was held June 9th in the Corwin Theater at LAHS. Attendees were alumni, teachers, students, administration, and folks from surrounding neighborhoods. Emotions ran high… there was a great deal of venting, finger pointing and reasons provided as to why LAHS has not met academic performance benchmarks established by states, school districts, and subpopulations of students.
“Measures of School Performance” are as follows:
|
Indicator |
Description |
Why is it important? |
|
API - Academic Performance Indicator |
The API is a single number ranging from a low of 200 to a high of 1000 that reflects performance level based on the results of statewide testing. The target API score is 800. |
Schools that do not meet state targets may be subject to district or state interventions. |
|
AYP – Adequate Yearly Progress |
AYP is a set of annual academic performance benchmarks to be achieved if the state receives federal funding under Title I, Part A of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). |
Schools that do not meet AYP targets for two consecutive years are identified as “Program Improvement” and are subject to district, state or federal interventions. |
|
CST – California Standards Test |
CST is administered annually in key content areas. Scores fall into five categories: advanced, proficient, basic, below basic, and far below basic. |
Students not proficient or advanced are performing below grade level. |
|
CELDT – California English Language Development Test |
CELDT is part of what is used to reclassify students, meaning they have reached proficiency in the English language. |
When students are not proficient in English, they frequently do not participate in core classes (middle and high school). |
Key Notes from the June 9, 2010 Public School Meeting:
* LAHS API Scores: 2006-07 was 549, 2007-08 no score, and 2008-09 was 564.
* There have been five different principals at LAHS in the past ten years. Principal Elena Anthony intends to stay at LAHS as long as possible.
* Principal Anthony indicated that LAHS teachers told their students not to take the test that would have made a crucial impact on the school’s API score, and that this test was racially biased, unimportant and unfair. These same teachers were given new positions at another school for beginning the Fall-2010 semester.
* Anticipated LAHS API score for 2009-10 is 600+. If in September 2009, LAHS achieves an API of 600 or greater, LAHS will be removed from the PSC list.
* LAHS plans for achieving their goal of 800+ API scores:
- LAHS will return to the “Traditional” schedule (semester system) beginning September 2011.
- Class size will be reduced to 25 students beginning September 2011.
- Proactive administrative, faculty and community involvement.
* LAHS plans (if a 600+ API score is not achieved in September 2010):
- Develop a “Plan” (currently in progress) to keep LAHS with the LAUSD.
- The Plan must be submitted with an application, according to the following Timeline and Steps:
> Step 1: PSC Workshop 1 - Family Orientation Meeting (June 9, 2010)
> Step 2: PSC Applicant Orientation Meetings (June 14-18, 2010)
> Step 3: Letter of Intent (LOI) due June 25, 2010
> Step 4: Workshop 2 – Defining Data Based Community Expectations (July 6-30, 2010)
> Step 5: Workshop 3 – Applicant Team School Plan Draft Updates (October 4-29, 2010)
> Step 6: Full Application Submission (December 1, 2010)
> Step 7: Initial Review & Superintendent’s Panels Convene (Dec 2010 – Jan 2011)
> Step 8: Workshop 4 – Executive Summary Analysis (Dec – Jan 2011)
> Step 9: workshop 5 – Applicant Presentation Meetings (Jan 3-21, 2011)
> Step 10: Advisory Vote (Jan or Feb 2011)
> Step 11: Superintendent Recommendations (Feb 2011)
> Step 12: Board Approval (Feb 2011)
> Step 13: Accountability Reviews & Implementation (Feb 2011)
For more information about the PSC, call the PSC Information Line at (213) 241-2547.
To stay informed about the PSC 2.0 process, visit: http://PublicSchoolChoice.lausd.net/
Alumni on Campus (AoC) is a project to help LAHS regain a quality of education and student body spirit similar to what we knew during the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Whatever its future configuration, as long as there is an L.A. High, we the alumni have a role to play. To help and support AoC, contact Ken Marsh at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .