📋

Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Los Angeles County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

Failing to Make the Grade

44 pages

View PDF View Full Original

⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 5 findings

F1 Page 183

1 There is no set of regional interagency goals or objectives to address gang reduction in Los Angeles County.

F2 Page 181

1 The Los Angeles Unified School District’s budgetary commitment to targeted gang reduction is essentially limited to the more broadly defined Youth Relations Unit, the total cost of which is $1.3 million.

F3 Page 192

Interviews were conducted with LAUSD representatives from the Instruction Support Services Division, including the Assistant Superintendent, program managers from the Dropout Prevention and Recovery Program, program managers from the Beyond the Bell Program, and others. Interviews were also conducted with the LAUSD General Counsel’s Office regarding the confidentiality of student records.

F4 Page 192

Interviews were conducted with LACOE representatives regarding the agency’s role serving students who are at risk of academic failure.

F5 Page 192

County Counsel was requested to provide information on the confidentiality of juvenile records in the areas of juvenile justice, health, mental health, substance abuse treatment, children and family services, and others. Los Angeles County Office of Education Mission and Activities Los Angeles County is home to 80 school districts and nearly 1.7 million students. The two major educational institutions include the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). LACOE has been designated by the California Department of Education (CDE) as the intermediary organization between local school districts and the State, providing training services for teachers, administrators and parents. In this role, LACOE also compiles countywide data and statistics for the State Department of Education, monitors low performing schools and performs a variety of consulting and support services for all 80 of the school districts in the County. LACOE also manages three educational programs, including: • Special Education, which provides specific services and support to students with learning and/or developmental disabilities • Juvenile Court Schools, which provide education and support services to delinquent and dependent youth in the County’s juvenile halls • Alternative Education, which provides alternative education for students at high risk of academic failure in mainstream public school settings Because all LACOE educational programs are directed towards students who have severe learning disabilities, are involved in the criminal justice system, or have failed in traditional school settings, LACOE representatives have indicated that these programs are directed toward students who are all at risk of academic failure. With that in mind, this report did not focus on the performance of LACOE students. This report does, however, focus on LAUSD, the largest district in Los Angeles County and the second largest school district in the country. They do attempt to identify students at risk of dropping out or not graduating. For those so identified, they provide comprehensive services and programs for students, teachers, parents and administrators, including special education and gifted education programs, and perform 178 2008-2009 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Report extensive educational research and planning. In 2007-2008, the District provided services to over 690,000 students, grades K through 12, with nearly 84,000 staff and an annual budget of $13.9 billion. Students living in the LAUSD service area are ethnically and economically diverse. Based on District statistics, between 65 and 72 percent of all students are economically disadvantaged, and over 30 percent of high school students move residence during the school year. According to research, the demographics of the student population served by LAUSD makes them at risk of academic failure. Much has been published regarding certain predictors of dropping out of school, particularly with regards to the significant effects of poverty and ethnicity.1 According to the California Dropout Research Project, a research institute at the University of California, the reasons that students drop out of school fall into two general categories: 1) individual factors, which include educational performance, behaviors, attitudes, and background (ethnicity, English as a second language, and gender); and 2) institutional factors, which include school facilities and resources, family makeup, and communities.2 In 2006, the Dropout Prevention and Recovery Program was established by action of the LAUSD Board of Education. This program has focused on dropout prevention and is housed within the Instruction Support Services Division,3 with a primary emphasis to “assist in reducing the number of youth dropping out of school by focusing on the prevention, intervention, and recovery efforts of potential student dropouts and address the personal and academic needs of these at-risk youth and their families.”4 However, because of the economic difficulties being faced by the District, this program has been targeted for elimination in FY 2009-10. The central office staff of the Dropout Prevention and Recovery Program coordinates services at the district level to ensure schools are supported and teachers are trained regarding best practices concerning at-risk students and dropout prevention at levels of both primary and secondary education. The unit manages three dropout prevention programs, including the Comprehensive Student Support Program, the CAHSEE to College program, and the largest program, The Diploma Project. Besides running these programs, the Dropout Prevention and Recovery Program manages approximately 240 pupil service and attendance counselors, hosts an annual District-wide conference on dropout prevention, and offers ongoing professional development to staff in the District. Brooks-Gunn, J. & Duncan, G.J. (1997). The effects of poverty on children. The Future of Children, 7 (2), 55-71. Oakes, J. et al. (2007) “California Opportunity Indicators: Informing and Monitoring California’s Progress Towards Equitable College Access,” in G. Orfield and X. Gandara (Eds.), Expanding Opportunity in Higher Education: California and the Nation. Russell Rumberger and Sun Ah Lim, “Why Students Drop Out of School: A Review of 25 Years of Research,” California Dropout Research Project # 15, October 2008. Certainly there are other divisions and units within LAUSD that work towards increasing academic success, if not all LAUSD departments. The District runs departments of physical health services, mental health services, academic counseling, and special education programs, just to name a few. However, the focus of this report is on the unit created and designated for targeted dropout prevention programs, the Dropout Prevention and Recovery unit. Informational fact sheet provided by Dropout Prevention and Recovery Unit managers. 2008-2009 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Report 179 The three dropout prevention programs target different levels of the LAUSD student population. The Comprehensive Student Support Program was established as part of SB65 School-based Pupil Motivation and Maintenance Program legislation that provided funding for schools to implement a comprehensive dropout plan focused on prevention, intervention and recovery efforts, specifically in the elementary schools. The Diploma Project targets middle and high school students who are considered to be at risk based on an assessment of multiple academic and attendance factors, and the CAHSEE to College Program targets high school students who may have passed all high school graduation requirements, but have been unable to pass CAHSEE. For FY 2009-10, the Superintendent has recommended that the Diploma Project and CAHSEE to College programs be eliminated as part of the larger budget strategy designed to deal with the current State budget crisis. Because the outcome of LAUSD Board budget deliberations is unknown at this time, this report provides analysis related to information sharing among the family of youth service providers as a first step toward establishing a more comprehensive menu of risk factors to be considered by schools and other agencies that serve at-risk youth and a strengthened system for assessing risk of individual students and the student population, as a whole. 180 2008-2009 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Los Angeles County is home to 80 school districts and nearly 1.7 million students. The two major educational institutions in the County are the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). In Fiscal Year 2007-08, LAUSD served over 690,000 students, grades K through 12, with its nearly 84,000 staff and an annual budget of $13.9 billion. District statistics show that between 65 and 72 percent of all students are economically disadvantaged and the dropout rate is approximately 30 percent, compared to a statewide average of 21 percent. Programs and services at LAUSD to serve youths at risk of dropping out or not passing the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) were the primary focus of this Civil Grand Jury investigation. Key findings and recommendations: Early dropout prevention and intervention efforts are hindered by Countywide constraints on information sharing.

Recommendations 5

R1
Page 183

1.1 – Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors By December 31, 2009, the Board of Supervisors should establish an independent, regional coordinating commission to develop regional interagency goals and objectives to coordinate gang reduction efforts. It should include representation of city- and school board-level officials, along with appointed leaders of departments key to gang reduction as well as representation of community-based and faith-based organizations.
R2
Page 181

1.1 – The Superintendent of the LAUSD and the Mayor The Superintendent of the LAUSD and the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles in collaboration with the GRYD Director establish an MOU in which they define a service approach that aggressively provides gang prevention services to students.
R3
Page 182

Interviews were conducted with LAUSD representatives from the Instruction Support Services Division, including the Assistant Superintendent, program managers from the Dropout Prevention and Recovery Program, program managers from the Beyond the Bell Program, and others. Interviews were also conducted with the LAUSD General Counsel’s Office regarding the confidentiality of student records.
R4
Page 182

Interviews were conducted with LACOE representatives regarding the agency’s role serving students who are at risk of academic failure.
R5
Page 182

County Counsel was requested to provide information on the confidentiality of juvenile records in the areas of juvenile justice, health, mental health, substance abuse treatment, children and family services, and others. Los Angeles County Office of Education Mission and Activities Los Angeles County is home to 80 school districts and nearly 1.7 million students. The two major educational institutions include the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). LACOE has been designated by the California Department of Education (CDE) as the intermediary organization between local school districts and the State, providing training services for teachers, administrators and parents. In this role, LACOE also compiles countywide data and statistics for the State Department of Education, monitors low performing schools and performs a variety of consulting and support services for all 80 of the school districts in the County. LACOE also manages three educational programs, including: • Special Education, which provides specific services and support to students with learning and/or developmental disabilities • Juvenile Court Schools, which provide education and support services to delinquent and dependent youth in the County’s juvenile halls • Alternative Education, which provides alternative education for students at high risk of academic failure in mainstream public school settings Because all LACOE educational programs are directed towards students who have severe learning disabilities, are involved in the criminal justice system, or have failed in traditional school settings, LACOE representatives have indicated that these programs are directed toward students who are all at risk of academic failure. With that in mind, this report did not focus on the performance of LACOE students. This report does, however, focus on LAUSD, the largest district in Los Angeles County and the second largest school district in the country. They do attempt to identify students at risk of dropping out or not graduating. For those so identified, they provide comprehensive services and programs for students, teachers, parents and administrators, including special education and gifted education programs, and perform 178 2008-2009 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Report extensive educational research and planning. In 2007-2008, the District provided services to over 690,000 students, grades K through 12, with nearly 84,000 staff and an annual budget of $13.9 billion. Students living in the LAUSD service area are ethnically and economically diverse. Based on District statistics, between 65 and 72 percent of all students are economically disadvantaged, and over 30 percent of high school students move residence during the school year. According to research, the demographics of the student population served by LAUSD makes them at risk of academic failure. Much has been published regarding certain predictors of dropping out of school, particularly with regards to the significant effects of poverty and ethnicity.1 According to the California Dropout Research Project, a research institute at the University of California, the reasons that students drop out of school fall into two general categories: 1) individual factors, which include educational performance, behaviors, attitudes, and background (ethnicity, English as a second language, and gender); and 2) institutional factors, which include school facilities and resources, family makeup, and communities.2 In 2006, the Dropout Prevention and Recovery Program was established by action of the LAUSD Board of Education. This program has focused on dropout prevention and is housed within the Instruction Support Services Division,3 with a primary emphasis to “assist in reducing the number of youth dropping out of school by focusing on the prevention, intervention, and recovery efforts of potential student dropouts and address the personal and academic needs of these at-risk youth and their families.”4 However, because of the economic difficulties being faced by the District, this program has been targeted for elimination in FY 2009-10. The central office staff of the Dropout Prevention and Recovery Program coordinates services at the district level to ensure schools are supported and teachers are trained regarding best practices concerning at-risk students and dropout prevention at levels of both primary and secondary education. The unit manages three dropout prevention programs, including the Comprehensive Student Support Program, the CAHSEE to College program, and the largest program, The Diploma Project. Besides running these programs, the Dropout Prevention and Recovery Program manages approximately 240 pupil service and attendance counselors, hosts an annual District-wide conference on dropout prevention, and offers ongoing professional development to staff in the District. Brooks-Gunn, J. & Duncan, G.J. (1997). The effects of poverty on children. The Future of Children, 7 (2), 55-71. Oakes, J. et al. (2007) “California Opportunity Indicators: Informing and Monitoring California’s Progress Towards Equitable College Access,” in G. Orfield and X. Gandara (Eds.), Expanding Opportunity in Higher Education: California and the Nation. Russell Rumberger and Sun Ah Lim, “Why Students Drop Out of School: A Review of 25 Years of Research,” California Dropout Research Project # 15, October 2008. Certainly there are other divisions and units within LAUSD that work towards increasing academic success, if not all LAUSD departments. The District runs departments of physical health services, mental health services, academic counseling, and special education programs, just to name a few. However, the focus of this report is on the unit created and designated for targeted dropout prevention programs, the Dropout Prevention and Recovery unit. Informational fact sheet provided by Dropout Prevention and Recovery Unit managers. 2008-2009 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Report 179 The three dropout prevention programs target different levels of the LAUSD student population. The Comprehensive Student Support Program was established as part of SB65 School-based Pupil Motivation and Maintenance Program legislation that provided funding for schools to implement a comprehensive dropout plan focused on prevention, intervention and recovery efforts, specifically in the elementary schools. The Diploma Project targets middle and high school students who are considered to be at risk based on an assessment of multiple academic and attendance factors, and the CAHSEE to College Program targets high school students who may have passed all high school graduation requirements, but have been unable to pass CAHSEE. For FY 2009-10, the Superintendent has recommended that the Diploma Project and CAHSEE to College programs be eliminated as part of the larger budget strategy designed to deal with the current State budget crisis. Because the outcome of LAUSD Board budget deliberations is unknown at this time, this report provides analysis related to information sharing among the family of youth service providers as a first step toward establishing a more comprehensive menu of risk factors to be considered by schools and other agencies that serve at-risk youth and a strengthened system for assessing risk of individual students and the student population, as a whole. 180 2008-2009 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Los Angeles County is home to 80 school districts and nearly 1.7 million students. The two major educational institutions in the County are the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). In Fiscal Year 2007-08, LAUSD served over 690,000 students, grades K through 12, with its nearly 84,000 staff and an annual budget of $13.9 billion. District statistics show that between 65 and 72 percent of all students are economically disadvantaged and the dropout rate is approximately 30 percent, compared to a statewide average of 21 percent. Programs and services at LAUSD to serve youths at risk of dropping out or not passing the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) were the primary focus of this Civil Grand Jury investigation. Key findings and recommendations: Early dropout prevention and intervention efforts are hindered by Countywide constraints on information sharing.