The Challenge

Improving our public schools is the most important challenge facing Los Angeles.  It is impossible to understate the effect our schools have on the quality of life in our communities, from the vibrancy of our economy to the prevalence of gang and gun violence.

Yet today, too many children are being left behind.

• Independent studies show that the dropout rate in LAUSD is about 50% -- worse than San Diego, Fresno, and Long Beach.  Our cities will not prosper if we continue to lose half our workforce before they graduate from high school.

• Test score remain dangerously low.  Over 80% of 4th graders are below proficient in reading and math.

• African American and Latino 7th graders read below the level of white 3rd graders.  This achievement gap is the civil rights issue of our time.

• At the current rate of improvement, all middle school students won’t be proficient in English until 2045 – and in math until 2056!

We can’t afford to wait any longer.  We must bring in new leadership, cut the bureaucracy, and empower teachers and parents.  Our goal is to transform the Los Angeles Unified School District, improve student performance, and close achievement gaps.