Education in Los Angeles

[Vicman]

I also noticed that Hancock Park's 3rd Street ES is mostly Asian. I guess the HP Asians enroll in the public elementary schools while the HP Jewish people usually do not.

But once we move on to Bancroft and Burroughs.. well... HP's days in public school seem to end there.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Vicman

I also noticed that Hancock Park's two elementary schools, Hancock Park ES and 3rd Street ES, are mostly Asian. I guess the HP Asians enroll in the public elementary schools while the HP Jewish people do not.

Probably because a large percentage of Hancock Park's Jewish population (like the neighboring Fairfax District and eastern WeHo) are Orthodox and Hasidic. The increase in Orthodox Jews and Hasidim has caused some consternation amongst H.P.'s longer established mainstream (and as is typical in L.A. more secularized) Jewish population - e.g. converting single family residences on R-1 zoned blocks into synagogues.

[Sorcerer68]

I asked much younger family members for grass roots level opinions and was pleasantly surprised. I have to offer the example of my cousin Josh. He's a special needs kid who lives in a school district that can't provide what he needs. I'm not sure about the exact details but a taxi takes him all the way to Santa Monica every day, the tab is picked up by the school district. My younger family members assure me that everything is in place and then some from what I was offered. I'm always suspect of statistics, they tend to show whatever the person offering them would like to prove. My background in Psychology and Social Work showed me this. Each newspaper has a slant and an agenda. All media does.

Hawaii kids may graduate but there's a great chance they won't be able to read when they do. I was moved back and forth as a kid and always looked forward to returning to L.A. where I had wonderful music programs, gifted studies, Academic Decathalon, a plethora of clubs and after school activities and studies at my level of intellect. I was fortunate to attend school in a decent part of town (Torrance, Redondo). Working with at-risk teens, I learned of the underside of the roughest schools. They told me honestly what went on at theirs. There seemed to be a few, large, prime offenders. Many parents made an effort to get their kids out of these schools and their kids lives and education improved exponentially.

My own young family members who attend school in the District report good teachers, challenging classes, everything they need is provided. They are bright kids and luckily they have caring educators to cultivate their intellect.

My grandmother is a retired school teacher in the District. I saw first hand how hard she worked. She vented her frustrations to me, being a teacher isn't easy, especially what they are paid. She has many former grateful students. She's expressed her own ideas about how some things could be fixed but tends to take it very personally when people bash her profession and her workplace.

[Vicman]

Do you guys feel that LAUSD has any pluses of any kinds?

Do you feel like LAUSD has big-city tax base advantages? Large amounts of resources?

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Vicman

Do you guys feel that LAUSD has any pluses of any kinds?

Do you feel like LAUSD has big-city tax base advantages? Large amounts of resources?

To answer the first question: NO. There is NOTHING good about LAUSD.

To answer the second question: LAUSD has no advantages over smaller districts whatsoever. The bigger size means more bureaucracy and more waste. There is an incredible amount of financial mismanagement in LAUSD on a level that cannot be believed. It's run like Enron.

[Vicman]

Dang! Houston ISD (my district) has typical urban problems, but it has a strong tax base, various resources (such as a virtual school), and a strong magnet and transfer program.

Anyway, I found that LAUSD has a virtual school as "LAVA" Academy; it offers AP Classes, Algebra Credit Recovery, and A-G courses (Algebra and Geometry): http://notebook.lausd.net/portal/pag..._schema=PTL_EP

HISD's virtual school offers both middle and high school courses (at http://vschool.houstonisd.org/info/index.html )

High school courses include AP Classes, various regular high school classes, and test preparation. I am not sure about LAUSD's eligibility, but people outside of HISD and in private and home schools may use HISD's virtual school. HISD's courses cost money, while LAUSD's do not (for district residents). - I think we should ask LAUSD if people in other districts/private school/home school may use LAVA.

LAUSD needs multi-lingual websites (HISD's site, at http://www.houstonisd.org/ , has Spanish and Vietnamese sites, as well as a "How May We Help You?" PDF that includes English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, French, Chinese, Farsi, and Urdu.

But, the aspect that LAUSD needs the most is increased school choice. LAUSD should establish more standalone magnet programs and publicize them to all parents. Also, LAUSD should introduce the IB program to various campuses (with, for instance, the diploma program going to University HS, the middle years program to Emerson MS and Webster MS, and the primary years program to Westwood ES, Roscomare ES, and Warner ES)

Originally Posted by majoun

To answer the first question: NO. There is NOTHING good about LAUSD.

To answer the second question: LAUSD has no advantages over smaller districts whatsoever. The bigger size means more bureaucracy and more waste. There is an incredible amount of financial mismanagement in LAUSD on a level that cannot be believed. It's run like Enron.

[SouthBayTodd]

the schools in the SOUTH BAY area are great! (shhh keep it a secret)

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by SouthBayTodd

the schools in the SOUTH BAY area are great! (shhh keep it a secret)

Are you including the LAUSD Region 8 schools (including Banning HS, Carson HS, Gardena HS, Narbonne HS, San Pedro HS, Washington Prep HS)?

Or are you only including Rancho Palos Verdes USD, Torrance schools, Redondo Beach USD, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo?