LAUSD RECEIVES APPLICATIONS TO OPERATE AND IMPROVE SCHOOLS :Superintendent Ramon Cortines Encouraged by Continued Interest

LAUSD OFFICE OF CHEERLEADING COMUNICATIONS PRESS RELEASE #09/10-113

January 12, 2010 -- (LOS ANGELES)— Education reform took a great leap today as 84 groups, including teacher collaborative teams, nonprofits, and charter school operators met the deadline on Monday to submit applications for the Public School Choice initiative.

Each applicant team submitted an educational plan to have the opportunity to improve one of Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) 36 underperforming and new schools.

“This District is committed to education reform as we determine what works best for each school and its students,” LAUSD Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines said. “I look forward to reading and reviewing how these proposals could impact and improve the educational outcomes for our students.

“This is not an exclusive discussion. We are encouraging input from all community members who support our public schools including parents, guardians, students, teachers and other LAUSD employees.”

• Community meetings are scheduled for every school that is a candidate of the initiative.
• Applicants will have the opportunity to present their plans and respond to questions.

Scheduled to begin on Thursday, Jan. 14, these sessions are open to the entire community. Information regarding dates, times and locations can be found on the Public School Choices webpage at www.lausd.net.

For the latest Public School Choice update, please go to the ‘News and Events’ section of the LAUSD homepage at www.lausd.net. In the coming weeks, the District will continue to announce the specifics of the next steps, which will include an internal/external review panel, an advisory vote by stakeholders and recommendations by the Superintendent.   (emphasis smf)

A vote by the Los Angeles Board of Education is expected in February 2010.