On November 10, 2022, EdSource published an opinion piece by Alex Karas, the Partnership’s director of arts education, in response to the passing of California’s Proposition 28. The initiative allocates money for 15,000 new positions, almost doubling the current number of certified teachers who provide visual and performing arts instruction in California’s public schools. With...
On October 13, 2022, Jason Torres-Rangel received a call from State Superintendent Tony Thurmond informing him that he would be a State Teacher of the Year and nominated as the California teacher to represent at the National Teacher of the Year competition in 2023. This recognition came after Torres-Rangel was nominated by one of his...
Posted 10/11/22 | Updated 10/14/22 The Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is appalled and outraged by the anti-Black, anti-indigenous, and homophobic statements made by Nury Martinez, Councilmembers Kevin de Leon & Gil Cedillo as well as former head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Ron Herrera. The statements are divisive, vile, and have...
Every June, we experience the exciting moments of seeing our high school seniors graduate. This year is special, since it is the first school year that students learned on campus post-pandemic, and we are happy to celebrate this accomplishment with our scholars. Approximately 65% of our scholars will be matriculating to two- and four-year colleges...
On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, we were all confronted by the news about the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas – a predominantly Latinx city – where 19 children and 2 teachers were killed. This comes on the cusp of the tenth anniversary of the Sandy Hook massacre. Gun violence is ubiquitous...
In the early stages of the pandemic, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools created a pilot program called Students Connected, which provides high-speed home internet at no cost to over 400 families in Watts, South LA, and Boyle Heights. Ensuring students have access to high-speed home internet has been a key priority for us because...
This month, the Los Angeles Unified School District will welcome Alberto Carvalho as the next superintendent of schools. As Carvalho prepares to run the nation’s second-largest school system, Los Angeles parents, education leaders, and advocates outlined what they believe should be Carvalho’s priorities. Ryan Smith, Chief External Officer, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools and Co-Chair...
Vaping among teenagers continues to skyrocket, and now school administrators are fighting back. On January 28, 2022, ABC7 News featured Santee Education Complex Principal Dr. Violeta Ruiz’s tireless work fighting illegal tobacco sales to minors. Dr. Ruiz ensures students’ safety and well-being by working with multiple agencies, parents, and students to make sure retailers in...
Federal and state student aid applications are lagging among California high school seniors. Still, Mendez High School in Boyle Heights is optimistic that it can build on previous success to make sure the majority of its seniors apply this year. The high school goes way above and beyond by setting early deadlines, messaging students on...
On November 10, 2021, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools announced the launch of a new $4-million college scholarship program that will help achieve the higher education aspirations of 80 Partnership students over the next eight years. Thanks to the generosity of philanthropist Jane Watkins, who established the Watkins Fellows program, 10 Partnership college-bound seniors...
