From the Mayor RE: Letters of Intent to operate LAUSD schools

MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA
City of Los Angeles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2009

CONTACT
Sarah Hamilton
213-978-0741


MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA, CHARTER, COMMUNITY AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS STAND
TOGETHER FOR CHANGE IN OUR SCHOOLS

Thanks outside operators for submitting Letters of Intent to Operate Schools available under the School Choice Resolution

LOS ANGELES - Mayor Villaraigosa marked today's deadline for submission of Letters of Intent to operate LAUSD schools made available under the school choice motion this morning at the New Open World Academy.

“Today marks a major milestone for our schools,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “When we passed the School Choice resolution, we asked everyone - charter schools, Partnership Schools, Pilot Schools, Universities, local superintendents, UTLA and others - to come together and commit to turning around our failing schools and open our new ones to be models of success. We asked them to commit to reforming our schools and the way we educate our children because they are our future and they deserve a high-quality education and a chance to succeed. Today, we take another step towards giving them that opportunity.”

The School Choice Resolution passed in August and allows for innovative school operators - like public charters schools, teacher collaboratives, successful district schools, and others - to be able to submit a plan for running the schools.

“Today is an historic day, as proven public charter school operators and other quality providers indicate their interest in being part of the education reform efforts in LAUSD through the submission of their School Choice Resolution letters of intent,” said Jed Wallace, President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association. “Public charter school leaders and their community supporters, stand ready to deliver on their commitment to serving students in the high priority neighborhoods by providing families significantly improved educational options.”

Upon submission of Letter of Intent today, school operators have two months to submit their specific plans for operating the schools. These plans must be based on real data and set real benchmarks and metrics for progress and achievement. The Superintendent will then review the plans and recommend his choices to the Board. The Board will vote in February.