LAUSD Announces New Investment to Help Improve Math Instruction, Strengthen Ongoing Efforts to Prepare All Students for Success

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) announced today that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will invest $1.3 million to support improvements in teaching Algebra and other college-prep courses to help all students graduate ready for postsecondary success. Today’s announcement builds on a prior investment of approximately $1 million from the James Irvine and William and Flora Hewlett Foundations, and a commitment of $2.3 million by LAUSD to improve math instruction in pilot schools throughout the district.

“The investments we make to improve instruction in our schools are investments in our children’s future,” said LAUSD Superintendent Roy Romer. “Through our collaborative efforts, we are helping foster a college-bound culture in our high schools, ensuring that all students receive the high-quality instruction and support they need to fulfill the challenges ahead.”

To help improve academic achievement, the Gates Foundation grant will enhance pilot programs underway in 17 district high schools and provide 120 high school math teachers with increased training and tools. In addition, one middle school in each local district, eight in total, will be selected for participation in the program and the effort will be expanded to all secondary schools in the 2007-08 school year. The grant funds will support extensive professional development for mathematics teachers and will provide additional support for Algebra curriculum design. LAUSD has seen positive results from curriculum changes at the elementary level, and this secondary initiative will complement that success.

The collaborative efforts to improve secondary math instruction are part of the District’s overall commitment to raise academic standards and provide all students with a high school education that prepares them for work and college. Earlier this week, LAUSD announced the expansion of its High School Options Program, which aids in drop out prevention and credit recovery to help students earn high school diplomas and offer career education and job certification resources. Earlier this year, LAUSD also raised graduation requirements to match the freshmen admission standards for the University of California and California State University system, known as the A-G curriculum. Starting with the class of 2008, students will automatically be enrolled in this college-preparatory curriculum, which includes high-level courses in seven subject areas including English, laboratory sciences, and advanced Algebra.

Programs provided by the grant will focus on improving student achievement in Algebra and, ultimately, increasing the number of students who graduate having successfully completed the A-G curriculum. Algebra is often called a “gatekeeper” course because students’ failure to pass can pose barriers to their future success. According to the 2004 American Diploma Project report “Ready or Not,” more than 80 percent of workers who earn more than $40,000 a year completed high school math through Algebra II. In fact, finishing just one math course beyond Algebra II in high school triples a student’s odds of earning a bachelor’s degree compared to a student who only completes Algebra II. The curriculum and professional development models enhanced through the grant will be used for the continued development of A-G courses in all middle and high schools.

“LAUSD has made strides in the effort to ensure all of its students are challenged to achieve at high levels,” said Tom Vander Ark, executive director of education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “The next steps are equally critical. This investment will help provide students with the high-quality instruction and support they need to meet these high standards.”

To date, the foundation has invested about $30 million in the Los Angeles region to open new high schools and strengthen existing ones. Nationally, the foundation has supported more than 1,100 high schools in 42 states and Washington, D.C. that are providing the new “3Rs”: rigor, relevance, and relationships—a rigorous curriculum for all students, relevant classes, and meaningful relationships with adults who push all students to achieve.

High schools participating in the pilot program funded by the grant include: Arleta, Crenshaw, Dorsey, Francis Polytechnic, Grant, Hamilton, LACES, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, San Fernando, SOCES, Sylmar, University, Van Nuys, Venice, Verdugo Hills, and Westchester High.      

###
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) serves more than 735,000 students in K-12, making it the second largest school system in the country. LAUSD has a highly diverse population: 92 different languages are spoken in students’ homes. LAUSD students have demonstrated unprecedented academic improvement since the district underwent an overall reform of its instructional program five years ago. For the first time in three decades, LAUSD is building new schools; construction of a 160 new schools is now underway. For more information: www.lausd.k12.ca.us.