California State Senate Passes Mayor Villaraigosa's School Reform Bill
For Immediate Release
LOS ANGELES – The California State Senate voted today to approve AB 1381, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s legislation to fundamentally reform the Los Angeles Unified School District. In a sign of the broad base of support for the legislation, the bill was backed by a 23-14 vote, both by Democrats and Republicans who are concerned about the future of public education in Los Angeles.
“Today’s historic vote by the California State Senate shows that support for fundamentally changing the Los Angeles School District is broad, bipartisan and strong,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Together, we took a step towards change – a step towards giving our parents, teachers and communities a voice in their children’s education – and a step towards giving our children the education they deserve.”
Mayor Villaraigosa was joined at a Sacramento press conference by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, co-authors of AB 1381, who called the bill a step toward improving student achievement.
“This legislation represents the most significant reform of the Los Angeles Unified School District in generations,” said Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero. “By creating a strong partnership between parents, educators, and elected officials, we will make improving our schools the central priority of our communities.”
“I applaud this bold effort to improve education in Los Angeles,” said Speaker Fabian Nunez. “An enormous amount of effort from parents, teachers and others has gone into crafting this piece of legislation. I want Mayor Villaraigosa – and more importantly the children of LAUSD – to succeed, and I plan to help in any way possible.”
AB 1381 now heads to the Assembly Education Committee and then to the full Assembly where it must be approved before the end of session Thursday. Governor Schwarzenegger has indicated that he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
AB 1381 is backed by a broad-based group of business, education and community leaders in Los Angeles. Key endorsements include: the Los Angeles City Council; the Southeast Cities School Coalition - consisting of the cities of Bell, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate and Vernon; Speaker Nunez; Senate Pro Tem Perata; Senate Majority Leader Romero; Assembly Majority Leader Frommer; Richard Riordan, Former Mayor of Los Angeles; California Teachers Association (CTA), United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA); the Building and Construction Trades; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; California Chamber of Commerce; the California Business Roundtable; Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; Central City Association (CCA); the United Chamber of Commerce San Fernando Valley; ACORN; Small Schools Alliance; and the Los Angeles Parents’ Union.
The guiding principle behind AB 1381 is the belief that to successfully improve student achievement, raise the graduation rate and close achievement gaps, the Los Angeles Unified School District must be fundamentally reformed. The governance structure outlined in AB 1381 will be the vehicle for achieving that fundamental reform by bringing in new leadership, creating greater accountability, empowering educators and parents, and giving local leaders a voice in their local schools.
LOS ANGELES – The California State Senate voted today to approve AB 1381, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s legislation to fundamentally reform the Los Angeles Unified School District. In a sign of the broad base of support for the legislation, the bill was backed by a 23-14 vote, both by Democrats and Republicans who are concerned about the future of public education in Los Angeles.
“Today’s historic vote by the California State Senate shows that support for fundamentally changing the Los Angeles School District is broad, bipartisan and strong,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “Together, we took a step towards change – a step towards giving our parents, teachers and communities a voice in their children’s education – and a step towards giving our children the education they deserve.”
Mayor Villaraigosa was joined at a Sacramento press conference by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez and Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, co-authors of AB 1381, who called the bill a step toward improving student achievement.
“This legislation represents the most significant reform of the Los Angeles Unified School District in generations,” said Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero. “By creating a strong partnership between parents, educators, and elected officials, we will make improving our schools the central priority of our communities.”
“I applaud this bold effort to improve education in Los Angeles,” said Speaker Fabian Nunez. “An enormous amount of effort from parents, teachers and others has gone into crafting this piece of legislation. I want Mayor Villaraigosa – and more importantly the children of LAUSD – to succeed, and I plan to help in any way possible.”
AB 1381 now heads to the Assembly Education Committee and then to the full Assembly where it must be approved before the end of session Thursday. Governor Schwarzenegger has indicated that he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
AB 1381 is backed by a broad-based group of business, education and community leaders in Los Angeles. Key endorsements include: the Los Angeles City Council; the Southeast Cities School Coalition - consisting of the cities of Bell, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate and Vernon; Speaker Nunez; Senate Pro Tem Perata; Senate Majority Leader Romero; Assembly Majority Leader Frommer; Richard Riordan, Former Mayor of Los Angeles; California Teachers Association (CTA), United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA); the Building and Construction Trades; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; California Chamber of Commerce; the California Business Roundtable; Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; Central City Association (CCA); the United Chamber of Commerce San Fernando Valley; ACORN; Small Schools Alliance; and the Los Angeles Parents’ Union.
The guiding principle behind AB 1381 is the belief that to successfully improve student achievement, raise the graduation rate and close achievement gaps, the Los Angeles Unified School District must be fundamentally reformed. The governance structure outlined in AB 1381 will be the vehicle for achieving that fundamental reform by bringing in new leadership, creating greater accountability, empowering educators and parents, and giving local leaders a voice in their local schools.
