Others Present: See attached list.

SCHOOL/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PRESENTATION‹JEFFERSON CLUSTER

Ms. Maria Ochoa, Principal, Adams Middle School, reported that her school was the oldest and smallest secondary school facility in Los Angeles and is on a year-round calendar. The enrollment is over 2,200 students. Bringing community involvement to Adams Middle School has been a priority for school staff. As of today, the school has a variety of community partners. These partners include the Los Angeles Conservatory Corp, which employs approximately 250 students from Adams Middle School through the Clean and Green Program, the School District's Business Division, Blue Cross, USC, UCLA, and private corporations. Dynamic Builders has contributed over $20,000 for musical instruments, and the Metropolitan Water District provides a pen pal and mentoring program.

Ms. Sharon Wilson, Counselor, Adams Middle School, reported that over 60 presenters attended the school's second annual Career Day on May 21. An assessment tool was administered to the students in which they matched their interest with their career cluster. The students were able to go to the College and Career Day and know who was going to interview them. Career choices are now more expansive. In the past when students were asked what they aspired to become, their answers would be doctor, lawyer, or teacher. The choices now include technology, journalism, and acting.

Mr. Michael Taft, Assistant Principal, Adams Middle School, stated that the Career Day was a way of involving all of the stakeholders. He indicated that one of the career presenters was Mr. Dion O'Connell, a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles.

Mr. O'Connell stated that when he agreed to participate in Career Day, he was wary of the reaction of 14- and 15-year old students to his profession. When he arrived at the school, he was greeted by enthusiastic students participating in a well-organized forum. At the Career Day, the students were eager to learn how to become a lawyer. If students are given regular exposure to the wide variety of career possibilities available to them and can see the tangible results of the education system, they will be motivated to stay in school if they know that is the avenue they must use to attain their goals.

Ms. Brenda Perez, a student at Adams Middle School, pointed out that Career Day made her aware that she can become a lawyer after she graduates from high school. Another career she is interested in is becoming a police officer. The police officer she interviewed told her about the Explorer Program, which she subsequently joined.

Mr. Rolando Zaneeka, a student at Adams Middle School, expressed his appreciation for Career Day.

Ms. Leticia Herrera, Jefferson Cluster Community Liaison, commended Adams Middle School for hosting Career Day.

SCHOOL/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PRESENTATION‹SOUTH GATE CLUSTER

Ms. Elizabeth Sullivan, South Gate Cluster Administrator, reported that she serves as a Commissioner for the Commission for South Gate Youth. The commissioners are comprised of principals, community service members, business owners, church leaders, and city officials. The commissioners meet once a month to discuss issues that affect every young person in South Gate. There are many coalitions and task forces that are youth oriented around the state and most of them receive grant funding. It appears that these programs are effective and are led by paid staff and support. In many cases, once the grant dollars run out, the programs end. Consequently, it was important for the founding fathers to put together a coalition that would not depend upon grant dollars. The impetus for the formation and background of the Commission was the concern of a rapid growth of juvenile gangs in the community. In 1989, the gangs were on the upswing in numbers and activities. The juvenile crime rate was increasing, and there were no solutions to the problems in site.

At the Middle School Leadership Camp at Clear Creek the prior summer, students had expressed their concern that nothing was being done to stop this trend. The South Gate Middle School principal and the South Gate Chief of Police called for a town meeting to discuss what they were seeing as a major problem with gangs from the adjacent neighborhoods moving into South Gate and recruiting young teenagers into their ranks. The Commission for South Gate Youth was formed after this town hall meeting. The Commission builds on the concept of total community involvement across organizational boundaries for the good of everyone. It represents a coalition of businesses, service groups, churches, parents, police, probation agencies, and all schools in the City of South Gate. The Commission is part of the City of South Gate, and each commissioner is appointed by the Chief of Police and approved by the City Council. No commissioner receives a salary or stipend and each must willingly volunteer to serve in the community where he or she either lives or works. All funds used by the Commission are from the community and are turned into programs for the youth. The Commission acts as a clearinghouse for the youth activities and coordinates fund raisers for all major youth activities in the city. The Commission has had results by focusing on the following objectives: gang reduction, drug arrests, and school attendance. The Commission has also been recognized by earning various and numerous awards.

Mr. Anthony Sandoval, Principal, South Gate High School, expressed his appreciation to
Mr. John Maloney of Maloney Meat Company. Every morning, from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.,
Mr. Maloney cleans the front of the school and has his crew paint over graffiti. Mr. Sandoval noted that Mr. Maloney and Mr. Dan Adler, a math teacher at South High School, sponsored the City of South Gate Sports Day on May 10, 1997.

Mr. Adler stated that he brought up the idea for the City of South Gate Sports Day with the South Gate Youth Commission, and they approved the concept. He was allowed to go into the community to raise the funds from various organizations in order to put the event together.
Mr. Maloney and Wonder Bread donated lunch for every student who participated and paper products and chips and oranges were purchased from stores within the city. The South Gate Branch of the Fire Department set up a booth during the event so that participants could talk to the firemen. The Metropolitan Transit Authority also set up a booth and gave out awards for students who did not come in first, second, or third place. The local cable company participated by airing ads for the event. There was representation from elementary, middle and high schools, and they helped put together a team of students. That team of students participated in a series of 12 individual events and three team events that included track and field, relay races, basketball, soccer, and softball.

Mrs. Boudreaux wanted to know how Ms. Sullivan was working with her cluster in order to solve some of the racist activities that have occurred at the South Gate Middle and High School sites.
Ms. Sullivan replied that some of the issues are a personnel matter. She is working with United Teachers Los Angeles, Dr. Evangeline R. Stockwell, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Intergroup Relations, who is providing human relations training. A meeting is scheduled next week with Ms. Sullivan, UTLA, teachers, and concerned individuals to find out the problems. Mrs. Boudreaux suggested that classified employees, Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, and other support groups be included in the meeting. She also suggested that Ms. Sullivan utilize resources that are available from the seven education commissions.

PARENT/COMMUNITY UPDATE

Ms. Banton reported that the Parent Community Services Branch has developed a new brochure to advertise the workshops that are offered for the parent education program. The workshops have been organized into four areas‹parenting skills, home learning, home school communications, and leadership skills. These workshops are available at the school sites Monday through Friday. The brochure has been provided to the principal and the coordinator at each school to distribute to the parents. Mrs. Boudreaux suggested that staff from the Parent Community Services Branch call the schools to make sure the brochures have been distributed to the parents.

A brochure concerning school governance has also been developed. The brochure provides a step by-step procedure for setting up a school advisory council.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Mrs. Leo reported that last week she had the opportunity to present the Venice High School Science Bowl National Champions to the State Board of Education to receive certificates.

The Office of Government Relations recently presented to the Board of Education some proposed amendments to the City Charter. This District started out as 28 square miles and is now 708 square miles. All of the annexations to the District were voted by the citizens of areas that wanted to become part of the District. The provisions in the City Charter relating to education were adopted in 1925. The District encompasses eight other cities, parts of 21 cities, and unincorporated County territories. One of the amendments to the Charter occurred in 1978 when the voters approved a Charter amendment that set up geographical areas to be represented by a Board member. Before that time, all of the Board members represented all of the District. One of the provisions in the change to geographic districts is that they would be drawn by the Los Angeles City Council. This does not recognize the fact that there are other cities that have an interest in the Charter.

In the May revision of the State budget, the Governor proposed an increase of $230 million to fully fund the class-size reduction program. For school districts that are so overcrowded that they cannot reduce class size due to the lack of facilities, the Governor proposes providing options for districts to dedicate a portion of unused operational funds. There is a recognition of the need for greater child care facilities because of welfare reform, and the Governor proposed $278 million to increase child care programs. The Governor has proposed $60 million for state-wide standards testing. At this time, the budget does not include a cost-of-living allowance for the District's categorical programs.

The Budget Conference Committee has been appointed and consists of Assemblymembers Denise Ducheny, Gary Miller, Martha Escutia, Mike Thompson, and Kathy Wright. Assembywoman Martha Escutia has said that she will not vote for the class size reduction provisions that are proposed for the amended version of the budget until the overcrowded conditions are solved.

Mrs. Leo noted that Mr. Steven Mark, Acting Director, Division of Special Education; Mr. Mark Shrager, Director, Budget Services Branch; and Attorney Bonifacio "Bonny" Garcia are in Sacramento talking about special education reform. There are proposals that assume that every child classified as special education needs the same expense provided and that all of the various disabilities are equally spread throughout the state. People whose children have particular problems tend to gravitate toward larger urban sites which generally have better facilities for them.

Mrs. Leo pointed out that there has been increased attention given to background criminal checks on employees and prospective employees. On April 18, 1997, a letter was received from the State Attorney General that cutoff the District's access to obtaining legal information about a prospective employee. The District sought legislation to assure that the District could use the system to obtain background checks. The alternative methods of obtaining background checks are not as fast and are expensive. There are several bills pending that would provide the District with the funding and speed of background checks.

BLACK EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT

Dr. Maddox introduced the Black Education Commissioners; Mrs. Virginia Hathaway, Director of Educational Services, Young Black Scholars; and Mrs. Marion Collins, Principal, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies; Mr. Lamarr Piernas, Owner, Positive Moves Magazine, Mr. Scott Terrell, business associate, Positive Moves Magazine; Dr. Keith Feder, Training to Win, Daniel Freeman Hospital; and Dr. Patricia Snyder, representing the Program and Evaluation Branch.

Mrs. Hathaway stated that the Young Black Scholars program was a greater Los Angeles youth focused educational activity of the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Inc., housed on the UCLA campus, the program was started as a response to a 1983 California Post-Secondary Education Commission study which showed an alarming disparity of African American students meeting the University of California entrance requirements. The Young Black Scholars program's main goal, since 1986, is to encourage Black teenagers to excel academically and thus to become eligible for admission to colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Mrs. Hathaway indicated that the Young Black Scholars History Superquiz is held each year during Black History Month in February, and the National African American Challenge Bowl takes place at the National Convention of the 100 Black Men of America each summer. The purpose of the Superquiz is to reinforce the concept of academic excellence and to encourage students to learn more about their culture. The most recent event involved this year's local winners from the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies.

Mr. John Weller, a member of the Class of 1998 at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, stated that he was the Captain for this year's Young Black Scholars History Superquiz and also a member of the National History Challenge Bowl team. He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to participate in these programs.

Mrs. Hathaway stated that the purpose of the Young Black Scholars Mentor Program is to provide students with enrichment, experiences, and incentives. This year, students are being provided with personal computers, a modem, and a printer. Mrs. Hathaway introduced the following students who have participated in the Toyota Motor Sales USA/Young Black Scholars Personal Mentoring Program: Mr. Donald Jones, Manual Arts High School; Ms. Deborah Lammey, Foshay Learning Center, and Mr. Herbert Flournoy, II, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies.

Mrs. Hathaway said that the University of Iowa Summer Program Partnership sponsored four students from the Young Black Scholars for a three-week molecular biology camp at the University of Iowa. She introduced one of the students who attended the program, Ms. Jamila Leake from the Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet.

Ms. Teresa Holoman, an alumni of the Young Black Scholars, the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, and the University of California Riverside, expressed her appreciation for the Young Black Scholars. She entered the workforce by participating in a diversity training program in the Public Affairs Department at Warner Bros. Currently, she is a Field Representative for California State Assemblyman Kevin Murray. Dr. Alexander noted that Ms. Holoman is the daughter of Mrs. Margaret Jones, Administrator, Specially Funded Programs.

Mr. Piernas thanked Mrs. Boudreaux for the letters she forwarded to him. They were instrumental in his obtaining a number of sponsorships. He also expressed his appreciation to Dr. Maddox.
Mr. Piernas said that his publication, Positive Moves Magazine, is being distributed to the middle schools.

Mr. Terrell reported that he and Mr. Piernas have created collaborative teams with a number of corporations, such as Ralphs, Nike, Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Hanson Beverage. The most instrumental part of the team is Daniel Freeman Hospital. The Training to Win program is completely funded by Daniel Freeman Hospital and the West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. Training to Win provides athletic training, sports medicine specialists and secondary insurance to local high schools. The program features athletic trainers at varsity games, the availability of sports medicine specialists and weekly injury screenings. Education for both athletes and coaches on injury prevention, taping, stretching and rehabilitation is also available as well as access to a training room at the Center for Athletic Medicine located in Manhattan Beach.

Dr. Feder pointed out that the goal of the Training to Win program is to reduce the incidence of athletic injuries in local high schools and to treat injuries on-site in order to return the student athlete to competition. The program includes the following ways to win:

1. Through education, demonstration and on-the-field supervision, trainers facilitate injury prevention through proper taping techniques, stretching and strength training exercises. In the event of an injury, the athletic trainers utilize state-of-the-art treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning methods to return the student-athlete to participation and competition.

2. Athletic injuries are screened and evaluated on a weekly basis during sessions held at the local high schools.

3. A secondary insurance plan is offered, free of charge, to student-athletes of participating high schools.

Dr. Snyder stated that she was contracted by the Black Education Commission to evaluate the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT). The Commission sponsored a series of classes to help prepare students from four selected high schools for the SAT. The four schools were selected because they serve students from primarily African American working class communities which traditionally show low average/mean SAT scores as compared with the mean SAT scores of test takers across the nation and with other ethnic communities.

The SAT 1 measures verbal and mathematical reasoning skills that are developed over many years of education. SAT 1 scores help predict the freshman year college performance of individual students. SAT scores are reported by ethnicity, gender, location, and a variety of categories.

The national mean for 1995 SAT 1 verbal score was 428; the mean score for African Americans was 356. The SAT 1 math national mean was 482 and for African Americans the mean was 388.

Family income less than $10,000 is the only category whose mean score is lower than that of African Americans. It is also a category that is likely to contain a majority of African Americans. Students from families with incomes greater than $10,000 per year tend to score higher. In 1995, students from the highest yearly income bracket of $70,000 or more per year scored the highest average‹471 verbal and 533 math.

The Teen Education SAT Survival Skills for the 90's was organized by the Commission and targeted four schools. The schools were grouped into two sites at which classes were held‹Jordan/Locke and Crenshaw/Dorsey and buses were provided to transport the students. The classes were scheduled for alternate Saturdays from October 1996 through April 1997 and were overseen by two on-site administrators, Ms. Gloria Taylor at Crenshaw/Dorsey and Ms. Donna Simien at Jordan/Locke. Teachers were selected from participating schools and students were recruited by school counselors and teachers.

The materials provided were focused, relevant, and utilized in a manner that seemed to engage the students' attention. Students were observed to be on task during all times that the evaluator was present. Informal interviews conducted with teachers revealed dedicated attitudes and expressed concern about student opportunity to succeed. Talks with students revealed bright young minds anxious to prepare for their future.

Mrs. Boudreaux expressed her willingness to help fund the cost of the buses and facility expenses.

Ms. Onamia Bryant, 2nd Vice-Chair, Black Education Commission, announced that today was Juneteenth. This is the day that African Americans honor the day in which the slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation on June 19, 1865, which was two years after the Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for all slaves in the rebellious states. According to the Juneteenth story, Union Army General Gordon Granger rode horseback into Galveston and ordered the release of the African descendants. Annual events to remember the occasion have spread across the nation since the days when Southern Blacks were the only ones holding Juneteenth picnics, with the traditional barbecue, watermelon and red soda water.

Ms. Bryant stated that in many schools the children do not have access to the latest technology. Students are not being prepared for the new century. They are left to aimlessly wander the streets undereducated and uneducated. There are many limited-English speaking students who need to early exit programs that do not meet their educational or career needs. The dropout rate for this community is the highest in the middle schools.

EDUCATION COMMISSION UPDATE

Mexican American Education Commission

Mr. Fernandez said that the 1996-97 school year, the Mexican American Education Commission made recommendations to the Board regarding the Belmont Learning Complex, the Ebonics issues, requested more Latino staff and Latino programming from KLCS, Channel 58, participated in the selection process for the new superintendent, held a series of book fairs, and implemented one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations at the District headquarters.

Educational projects for the 1996-97 school year were the following:

1. Presentation to the Gardena High School faculty on multicultural education and Latino students.

2. Presentation to the UCLA Community Services for student volunteers on teaching strategies and methods for teachers of Latino students.

3. The Commission organized a community panel on the education of Latinos in the United States.

4. The Commission provided training for parents at South Gate Middle School in the area of school governance.

5. A presentation was made to parents and staff at Humphreys Avenue School on the issue of culture.

6. Assistance and advisement was provided to staff and parents of Martin Luther King, Jr., Elementary, Hughes, and Van Nuys Middle Schools.

7. The Commissioners and the Director of the Commission participated in the Latino Civil Rights March in Washington, D.C., on October 12, 1996.

8. A series of three book fairs were sponsored by the Commission and the Instituto Cultural Mexicano de Los Angeles.

9. The Commission participated in the District's annual Cultural Diversity Celebration.

10. The Commission held their annual Installation Dinner on August 21, 1996, at La Costa Restaurant.

11. On December 19, 1996, the Commission held its annual Holiday Dinner at El Paseo Inn in Olvera Street.

Gender Equity Education Commission

Ms. Murphy announced that there was a Tradewomen's Speakers Bureau. These women are trained public speakers who can go out to various schools to talk about being in a nontraditional occupation for women. Many of these women face discrimination and sexual harassment, but they can lend encouragement to girls to pursue their dream occupations. For the males in the audience, they learn that they need not feel threatened by women in nontraditional occupations, nor is it right for males to exclude females based on prejudices. In the near future, the Commission would like to expand the speakers bureau to include males working in nontraditional occupations for men so male students also can learn to pursue their dreams and not feel limited by socially-constructed views of gender-appropriate careers.

Gay and Lesbian Education Commission

Ms. Gill reported that the Commission worked with the Division of Instruction, the Office of Intergroup Relations, and the other commissions to develop a series of sensitive lesson plans and posters which help the Commission to ensure that all families would be served through the District. The packets were distributed to the schools by the Division of Instruction. There have been more than 150 requests for additional packets. In addition, there has been numerous requests by various parent representatives for more detailed information about the lesson plans. As a result of the increased interest in the materials, the Commission and the Division of Instruction would like to hold a workshop for the Parent Collaborative, the District Advisory Committee, and the District Bilingual/Bicultural Advisory Committee. The lessons will be translated into Spanish, and staff will review the lessons and posters with the parents.

The Legal Services section has also suggested that a similar workshop be held for cluster leaders, administrators, and teachers. The Division of Instruction and the Commission are working on developing guidelines for teachers and administrators.

American Indian Education Commission

Mr. Orendorff announced, on behalf of the Asian/Pacific American Education Commission, that on July 13, 1997, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Japanese American Theater in Little Tokyo will present Frankie Flores, who will present Native American Indian culture and dance routines.

Mr. Orendorff highlighted the following:

€During the 1996-97 school year, there was an increase in staff development for educators in the District.

€On June 14, 1997, a program to recognize 80 American Indian youngsters was held at the Autry Museum.

€Last night plans were finalized with Barnes and Noble for a family literacy program. The Commission will host a monthly series of family literacy projects where native American Indian works will be featured.

€The Commission, International American Education, Inc., and Plummer Middle School will participate in a pilot project that will link Plummer with schools in Alabama, Georgia, Columbia, Egypt, and Mexico. Plummer Middle School will not be charged for teleconferencing projects. Current plans call for an exchange program where students would spend a week at a traditional Native American site.

Speakers

Ms. Nelle Ivory, Commissioner, Black Education Commission, reported that Black and Latino students in South Central Los Angeles and in the inner-city are being victimized by District police officers. These officers are giving students tickets for incidents such as a shoving match, and the students have to go to Long Beach Juvenile Court. If the student pleads guilty, he or she receives a minimum fine and community work. If the student pleads not guilty, the judge raises the fine and triples the community work time. Dr. Alexander indicated that he would relay Ms. Ivory's concern to the Cluster Leader and to Chief Wesley Mitchell.

Mr. Sylvester Hinton, Parliamentarian, Black Education Commission, reported that there is no room for class size reduction in Watts. In order to attempt to eliminate busing students from Watts, a Watts Learning Center has been formed. Mr. Hinton expressed his opinion that the Board and United Teacher Los Angeles does not want the community to have a Watts Learning Center. The Board wants to remove 30% of the funding for special education. Dr. Alexander pointed out that a communication concerning the Watts Learning Center will be presented at an upcoming Board of Education meeting.

Mr. Benjamin Stroud, representing the Alliance of African American Educators and a teacher at South Gate Middle School, highlighted a number of incidents that have occurred at South Gate Middle School. Dr. Alexander noted that Mr. Dan Isaacs, Assistant Superintendent, School Operations, was aware of the incidents at South Gate Middle School.

Notes by: Dinah Edwards, Board Secretariat