Tanya Ortiz Franklin
Why are you running for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) school board? What are your top three priorities that you will advocate for if elected?
I’m running for re-election for school board in the district where I was a student, teacher, teacher-educator and advocate because every student deserves to be prepared to thrive in the college, career and life of their choice. My top three priorities are: 1) ensure more students get to choose college by being on grade level TK-12, especially in mathematics 2) prioritize student safety including community-based approaches and 3) make sure all budget decisions are student-centered, particularly as we approach the loss of federal COVID recovery dollars.
There are many different models of public schools in LAUSD, such as magnet schools, pilot schools, advanced study schools, and non-profit charter public schools. Charter schools are public schools that are overseen by LAUSD but operated by non-profit organizations. What role do you believe these non-profit charter public schools play in delivering education to high-needs students in Los Angeles?
Charter schools can accelerate student achievement by implementing innovations, extending learning time, and being more rapidly responsive to their communities in ways that are sometimes difficult for the second largest school system in America. I have visited all charter schools in Board District 7 and several outside of my district and invited several to present at the Board’s Innovation Committee and general public comment to celebrate, learn and share with the Superintendent’s team how creativity in facilities, staff pay, professional learning, partnerships and more can be opportunities for us to all improve student outcomes.
LAUSD enrollment has dropped from 737,000 students in 2002 to 385,000 students in 2022. In the same period of time, LAUSD has spent more than $33 billion building new schools and upgrading facilities. Given this, what would you do to ensure that school district facilities are shared and available to all students, including students that attend non-profit charter public schools?
I serve on the Committees for Charter Schools and for Facilities and Procurement to understand opportunities for improvement and offer recommendations about how to better use and share space with all public school students. I ask questions – both at board meetings and in briefings with staff – to get at root issues (such as “empty space” vs. “set asides”) and meet with a variety of interested stakeholders regularly. I advocated and canvassed for Measure RR in 2020 and plan to do so for the next bond measure to ensure our $40 billion in facilities needs are met for all public schools.
Across LAUSD, where a child lives has often been a strong predictor of academic performance and life outcomes. How would you work with the superintendent, principals, and teachers to ensure that all students are learning?
The Board set big goals for student achievement and must now monitor them regularly with the Superintendent and team to ensure students are learning. We need to make sure students have grade-level curriculum, high-quality and differentiated instruction, and robust social-emotional support to help them reach their full potential. We also need to collaborate with families, community partners, and students themselves to understand and meet the unique needs of each scholar. And throughout this focus on achievement, we must maintain healthy conditions – physically, emotionally and intellectually – that allow staff and students to focus on learning.
LAUSD has increased its graduation rate in recent years, with more than 86% of students graduating. But, only 64% of graduates actually enroll in a 2- or 4-year college, and less than 50% are eligible for admission to the State’s colleges and universities. In addition, the last time the State of California released its data on LAUSD’s College and Career Indicator, only 37.7% of LAUSD students were rated as prepared for college or a career. What actions would you take as an LAUSD board member to address this issue?
To prepare all students for college and career, I meet biweekly with the Superintendent and monthly with key teams (Instruction, Operations, Strategy, Human Relations, Regions, labor partners, etc.) to examine data, ask questions, and offer feedback. We finally have a district-wide progress monitoring system and data-analysis approach that I participate in. I also visit schools and observe instruction weekly, participate in home visits monthly, and regularly meet with family and student advisory councils and community partners to round out my understanding and advocacy.
Lydia Gutierrez
Why are you running for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) school board? What are your top three priorities that you will advocate for if elected?
Did not respond.
There are many different models of public schools in LAUSD, such as magnet schools, pilot schools, advanced study schools, and non-profit charter public schools. Charter schools are public schools that are overseen by LAUSD but operated by non-profit organizations. What role do you believe these non-profit charter public schools play in delivering education to high-needs students in Los Angeles?
Did not respond.
LAUSD enrollment has dropped from 737,000 students in 2002 to 385,000 students in 2022. In the same period of time, LAUSD has spent more than $33 billion building new schools and upgrading facilities. Given this, what would you do to ensure that school district facilities are shared and available to all students, including students that attend non-profit charter public schools?
Did not respond.
Across LAUSD, where a child lives has often been a strong predictor of academic performance and life outcomes. How would you work with the superintendent, principals, and teachers to ensure that all students are learning?
Did not respond.
LAUSD has increased its graduation rate in recent years, with more than 86% of students graduating. But, only 64% of graduates actually enroll in a 2- or 4-year college, and less than 50% are eligible for admission to the State’s colleges and universities. In addition, the last time the State of California released its data on LAUSD’s College and Career Indicator, only 37.7% of LAUSD students were rated as prepared for college or a career. What actions would you take as an LAUSD board member to address this issue?
Did not respond.
