On May 16, 2020, CNN featured two Partnership students, along with their most inspirational teachers, during its “Class of 2020: In This Together” segment. The students and teachers from Santee Education Complex and Roosevelt High School briefly shared success stories. Learn more about each below. Keith Wallick is a graduating senior at Santee Education Complex. Learn...
Increasing Access to WiFi and Technology for Low-Income Communities and Communities of Color On April 22, 2020, we published a research brief entitled “Bridging LA’s Digital Divide: Increasing Access to WiFi and Technology for Low-Income Communities and Communities of Color,” which highlights the lack of digital devices and internet access in low-income communities like Watts,...
Amidst the many challenges facing our students during this time, we are deeply concerned about our high school seniors who are planning to go to college. Students in our communities already face many challenges on the path to a college degree, but we fear that the COVID-19 health crisis will further exacerbate equity gaps in...
The Los Angeles Unified School District announced it will shut down its schools for two weeks beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, to help school communities stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. This decision includes closing our 18 Partnership network schools. During this window, the Partnership’s home office will also close and our team will...
Roosevelt High School’s varsity basketball team was featured in the LA Times on March 9, 2020, for its ongoing basketball victories, which positioned the group to potentially play at the Division V state championship in Sacramento. Read more here.
The Partnership Playbook for School Transformation was unveiled on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at a “Partnering for Equity” convening we co-hosted with UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools. The Playbook is an online tool about our work and it outlines a path forward for traditional public school systems to accelerate equity for low-income students...
In February, our work to harness the power of National Student Clearinghouse data was featured in the National College Attainment Network’s report, “The Data that Matter and the Plans that Work.” This national report presents our lessons and recommendations for transforming postsecondary advising. Read more about the steps we’re taking to help more students succeed...
On February 8, 2020, over 1,200 families participated in a day of learning at our annual University Day event, this year held at UCLA. Students and families from our network of 18 schools attended campus tours, student panelist sessions, and information sessions about financial aid, college applications, college access, scholarships, and more! They also heard...
After months of planning, Jordan High School unveiled several new campus murals on February 7, 2020. LA Unified Board Member Dr. Richard Vladovic, LA Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner, and Local District South Superintendent Michael Romero attended the grand unveiling of the mural project. Big thanks to Principal Lucia Cerda; the Founder of Think Watts Foundation,...
On February 5, 2020, Kenny Young, Los Angeles Rams Linebacker, donated $5,000 to Grape Street Elementary School in Watts through his Tackle Young Foundation. Kenny Young, along with staff from the Wasserman Foundation, visited students at the school to promote the importance of literacy. Young’s donation helped purchase books for teachers, and for students who...
As part of its “Cleats for Character Tour”, the Los Angeles Rams visited Jordan High School on February 5, 2020, to donate brand new cleats to the entire football team. During the event, LA Rams representatives spoke about their career journeys and moments of success and perseverance. This event was a great way to celebrate...
On January 15, 2020, EdSource published “California Voices: Education leaders speak out on Gov. Newsom’s budget proposals.” In it, the Partnership’s Chief External Officer, Ryan Smith joined other leaders in providing comments to the Governor’s budget proposal, especially as it pertains to public education and how there is more work to be done. Read more...