LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy pushes tougher college-prep curriculum, new English-learner strategy despite budgetary challenges

LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy addresses school administrators during an annual meeting on Aug. 9, 2012 at Washington Prep High School in Los Angeles. (Brad Graverson/ Staff Photographer)

Setting an ambitious agenda for the new school year, Superintendent John Deasy called Thursday on district leaders to continue working to boost student test scores and graduation rates and making a top-notch education possible for all students.

During his annual back-to-school speech to hundreds of principals and administrators, Deasy noted that record numbers of students had passed the state's high school exit exam and Advanced Placement tests, while the number of student suspensions had fallen 43 percent, "smashing every goal we could have hoped for."

"These aren't new initiatives. The power is sticking with them," he told the packed auditorium at Washington Prep High School, located in the incorporated area east of LAX.

Looking ahead, Deasy warned of difficult challenges in implementing the district's tougher college-prep curriculum for every student and its new strategy for supporting English-learners.

"I'm a realist, and I'm aware of the challenges we face. These are daunting, huge, scary and seemingly impossible," he said. "I know our people are scared and tired, and so am I."

Chief among the hurdles is the loss of public funding for education, with the state expected to defer 22 percent of the $6,748 allocated for every student. He urged the district's employees to support a ballot initiative that would raise the state's sales tax to head off additional cuts in state money.

"There's going to be a lot of blood, sweat

and tears, because there won't be a lot of supplies," he said.

Nevertheless, he said he wants every student and teacher to have a computer tablet within the next 15 months - a goal that drew applause from the crowd.

Afterward, administrators said they were inspired by his statements and felt their efforts had been validated

"He was upbeat and positive, which is a nice change for the district," said Joe Hill, who works as an assistant principal at three middle schools in the south part of the district.

Although Deasy's comments drew measured applause, he didn't get the standing ovation that greeted school board member Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte, who represents South Los Angeles.

She related the story of a impoverished young girl who managed to succeed with the help of a teacher - a tale she eventually confessed was about herself.

I want to challenge you," she said. "Every student you have, look in their eyes. You're all they have."

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barbara.jones@dailynews.com
Twitter.com/LADNschools

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/ci_21274832/lausd-superintendent-john-deasy-pushes-tougher-college-prep?source=rss_emailed

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