A Period of Transformation for East LA Schools

Community leaders unite in support of the expansion of pilot schools at the new Esteban E. Torres High School as the best school transformation plan to increase graduation The Pilot Schools plans were developed by teacher teams in collaboration with the Los Angeles Education Partnership, who has a 20 year track record for academic achievement within LAUSD.  The East LA community leaders support in-district reform as the best plan for transforming the Garfield family of schools. 

The Pilot Schools plans were developed by teacher teams in collaboration with the Los Angeles Education Partnership, who has a 20 year track record for academic achievement within LAUSD.  The East LA community leaders support in-district reform as the best plan for transforming the Garfield family of schools. 

“The purpose of the Public School Choice Resolution was to pressure underperforming schools to re-envision and develop plans for school transform, the Pilot Schools model is a key approach to a larger in-district reform that will leave behind outdated models of instruction and raise the rigor and expectation of our schools,” said Maria Brenes, Executive Director of InnerCity Struggle.

Over the past two years InnerCity Struggle worked with community organizations to build support and awareness for a Pilot Schools model through the East Los Angeles Education Collaborative comprised of CBO’s, civic leaders, parents and students.  Among key supporters are retired U.S. Representative Esteban E. Torres and community organizations, such as Bienvenidos, La Causa Youth Build, Volunteers of East Los Angeles (VELA), and the Latino Family Center.

“As a community parent, I have worked hard to inform other parents, we know that we have highly qualified teachers who are motivated and fully invested in our children’s education, but we must give teachers the opportunity to demonstrate their true capacity under a pilot schools model which gives them autonomy over school curriculum and professional development,” said Maria Leon, mother of Garfield H.S. students.

“I firmly believe that the expansion of Pilot schools builds on the legacy of struggle for equity in East Los Angeles,” said retired U.S. Congressman Esteban E. Torres, Garfield High School Alumnus.

The Public School Choice Resolution created an innovative process for transforming local public schools. The community supports in-district reform to increase graduation rates for the Garfield family of schools that address low achievement rates. Only 54% of students who attend Garfield High School graduate within 4 years and only 5% of students are proficient in Math.

In the month leading up to the Advisory Vote, InnerCity Struggle and community organizations spoke to 3,000 parents, students and community members to educate them about the Public School Choice Voting process. Many of them supported Pilot Schools as a vehicle for local control over school based decisions, which include budgets, curriculum and professional development. We are asking LAUSD to support the community’s will in supporting the 5 Pilot Schools proposals the soon to open Esteban E. Torres High School in East Los Angeles.

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Contact Lizette Patron at (323)481-7346 for more information regarding the East LA Community for Pilot Schools at Esteban E. Torres High School Campaign.