First Annual Los Angeles
Youth Action Summit on Education
Student Proposals
July 17-19, 2007WebsterMiddle School
Presented by the City of Los Angeles Youth Council and the California Association of Student Councils (CASC) in partnership with the Los AngelesUnifiedSchool District.
Table of Contents
Commendations...... 2
About the Program...... 3
Areas of Concern...... 4
Proposal: Promoting Post Secondary Educational Opportunities...... 5
Proposal: High-level Learning...... 7
Proposal: Increasing Awareness of Career Opportunities...... 10
Proposal: Improving Student Health and Nutrition...... 13
Commendations
The Los Angeles Youth Action Summit on Education commends the following individuals and organizations for their exemplary support for student leaders and youth voice:
- Superintendent David Brewer and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
- LAUSD School Board President Mónica García and the members of the school board
- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
- Deputy Mayor Ray Cortines
- The City of Los Angeles Commission for Children, Youth, and Their Families
- WebsterMiddle School and its dedicated, friendly staff
- The principals of Los Angeles
- Dr. June Thompson, Executive Director, CASC
- Chipotle Mexican Grill
- Subway Restaurants
- Domino’s Pizza
- Trader Joe’s
- Junior’s Restaurant
- United Melon
About the Program
About the Los Angeles Youth Action Summit on Education
The Los Angeles Youth Council and CASC, in partnership with the Los AngelesUnifiedSchool District, hosted the first annual Los Angeles Youth Action Summit on Education at WebsterMiddle School from July 17-19, 2007. At this student-organized and student-led conference, students from public high schools across Los Angeles created the recommendations included in this document for improving specific facets of the local education system. The conference is guided by the principle that students should be empowered to bring about change in their schools and communities, connecting with policymakers to transform their concerns into practical solutions.
Follow-up to Proposals
These proposals represent students’ dedication to addressing the complex issues in the Los Angeles education system. You are encouraged to follow-up on these proposals by contacting the participants and working with them to take action on the issues (see below for contact information).
More Information / Contact Details
For more information on the summit, to contact participants, or to work with us to organize a similar program for your school or district, please contact the 2007 conference director:
Aaron Feuer
Cell: 310.916.8282
About the City of Los Angeles Youth Council
The Youth Council was established in 1995 under the Commission for Children, Youth, and Their Family’s ordinance and has been actively representing the interests of the City’s youth since 1996 by promoting existing programs, advocating for new services and activities, and advancing the City’s youth voice through participation in public decision-making.
About the California Association of Student Councils (CASC)
Founded by the state of California in 1947, the California Association of Student Councils is a student-led non-profit organization that represents the students of California through local and statewide legislative advocacy programs. CASC cultivates student leaders and empowers youth to take action, holding dozens of leadership training workshops each year.
Areas of Concern
Before selecting their four final topics, the students attending the summit expressed concern and interest in the following areas:
MTA transportation
Class sizes
School support for clubs
Open-mindedness of administration
More college recruitment on campus
Tardy policy
Violence and drugs at schools
Delaying the school start time
More tasty and nutritious food
More AP/accelerated classes available and taught by qualified teachers
Having both a class and home set of books
Teachers motivation
Better allocation of education funds
Bigger lockers
Stronger arts programs
Better teacher supplies (copies, etc.)
Improved college preparation
Attendance policy
Need for a standard discipline program
Teacher mentoring to cultivate more well-rounded students
Having an actual cafeteria
Counseling for drugs and alcohol
Having own field for sports
Teen pregnancy
Restrooms cleanliness
Availability of sports at school
Parent involvement
Campus size / having an actual campus
More information about careers
Involving students in curriculum creation
Merit-based classes: students deserve to be in their classes rather than just being placed there
Cell phone and other electronics policy
Variety of classes available
Organization of administration
More books for libraries
District purchases of unnecessary textbooks
District partnerships that ultimately negatively affect students
Implementing effective standardized testing preparation
Campus beautification
Having a nutrition break
Overcrowding
Better counseling for reaching graduation
First Annual Los Angeles Youth Action Summit on Education
July 17-19, 2007, WebsterMiddle School
Presented by the City of Los Angeles Youth Council and the
California Association of Student Councils (CASC)
Promoting Post Secondary Educational Opportunities
GROUP MEMBERS:Andrew Ashcraft, Westchester High School; Adelaida Buenrostro, Middle College High School; Dylan Garcia, Los Angeles School of Global Studies; Diamond Killion, Jordan High School; Jesus Lopez, San Fernando High School; Jesus Magana, Hamilton; Jennifer Ow, Eagle Rock High School; Michael Podell, SOCES; Evelyn Vazquez, Panorama High School
FACILITATOR:Roxy Pirnia, University of California, San Diego
OUR VISION FOR CALIFORNIA EDUCATION:
All students are aware that they are equal and held to high standards with motivation to reach those standards both at school and at home. All students graduate high school and, with the required and effective college counseling available, are encouragedto go on to college. All students are confident in accessing the many forms of financial aid available, trust the equality of the application process, and know the options college provides after graduation. As a result, society is strengthened, with citizens able to take on the challenges of the future.
AREAS OF FOCUS:
College recruitment in under-visited campuses
Primary Actions Recommended: / Impl. by:- Require that high schools collaborate to hold one college night per year in their local districts to present information on colleges, financial aid opportunities and options after high school graduation
- Hold two college assemblies (oneeach semester) for all high school students in which college students and high school graduates present information on the benefits of and how best to obtain a college education
Disseminating information on post-secondary educational opportunities
Primary Actions Recommended: / Impl. by:- Establish a commission led by college students, college graduates and high school interns who will meet with students from each high school at least once a year to encourage post-secondary education.
- College students, college graduates and high school interns, or mentors,will keep in contact with students throughout their high school experience to answer any college-related questions
- Mentors will explain the importance of applying to college and receiving post-secondary education.
Low-cost Alternative – Actions Recommended:
- Direct the existing mentoring programs to the areas that have the highest student to counselor ratio and the lowest percentage of students going on to college
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Our proposal is cost-effective and beneficial to the education system because students will have more access to post-secondary opportunities. There are some minimal costs to consider, such as payment for the extra hours staff members will require in order to plan and execute college nights and assemblies. However, these costs are insignificant when considering the ultimate economic benefits for the participants who will receive valuable information for their future. Counselors in Los Angeles are already advising an excessive number of students in their school and these initiatives will help alleviate their burden. The eventual benefits for students and communities outweigh the investments into this program as students with college educations earn higher incomes with each additional year of school.
RATIONALE:
Due to the high student-to-counselor ratio and the decline in graduation rates, many students are not getting the effective guidance and/or counseling they deserve. Therefore high school students are not aware of their post-secondary education and financial aid options. Through our proposed commission the students will get the motivation they need to succeed throughout high school and college. By assuming a mentoring role in this commission, such students will inspire youth to pursue higher education and assist them with the college admissions process. This program will ultimately serve to motivate high school students to attend and graduate from four-year universities. By implementing such a program, students will be better prepared for life – strengthening the economy as they transition into the professional workforce.
First Annual Los Angeles Youth Action Summit on Education
July 17-19, 2007, WebsterMiddle School
Presented by the City of Los Angeles Youth Council and the
California Association of Student Councils (CASC)
High-level Learning
GROUP MEMBERS:Caitlin Funaro, Champs Charter School; Christina Rodriguez, Discovery Charter Prep; Maria Xochicale, Santee Education Complex High School; Sofia Ramirez, New Village Charter High School; Skylar White, New Village Charter High School; Yessenia Escobar, Stern Math and Science School; Zuleima Espinoza, Stern Math and Science School
FACILITATOR:Morgan Michaels, SerranoHigh School
OUR VISION FOR CALIFORNIA EDUCATION:
All students are more prepared to take challenging classes in high school and in college. Every teacher is prepared to teach an AP and/or honors class in their subject specialty. All AP classes and tests are easily accessible and well prepared for by teachers. All students, no matter what background, are equally motivated to take higher-level courses and/or AP classes. Students pay less for college because they have already received college after taking AP classes during high school. Students obtain a sufficient amount of college credit before attending college. Since students have passed basic undergraduate requirements, they are able to focus on advanced college coursework moving toward graduate studies. There is a substantial population of highly educated individuals with great confidence and motivation to succeed in life. As a result, society as a whole is more advanced culturally, technologically, and economically.
AREAS OF FOCUS:
Creating more challenging classes
Primary Actions Recommended: / Impl. by:- Work to significantly raise their standards for coursework in all classes, so all students are challenged to achieve their greatest potential
Low-cost Alternative – Actions Recommended:
- Require an honors class for every basic academic class.
Teacher preparation for AP tests and classes
Primary Actions Recommended: / Impl. by:- Require that AP teachers take the AP test for the AP class they will teach in order to better understand what is required on the exam
- Adhere to the College Board’s recommendation for AP teacher qualification standards
Low-cost Solution – Actions Recommended:
- Create a program for well qualifiedwewewewew AP teachers to mentor potential and new AP teachers through observation of the mentor’s classes and through collaboration e.g. on lesson plans
No-cost Solution – Actions Recommended:
- Conduct mandatory parent-teacher conferences and assemblies explaining the AP courses the students are taking and recommending useful tactics for helping the students study
Preparing the administration for offering AP classes
Primary Actions Recommended: / Impl. by:- Require AP program workshops for inexperienced teachers and teachers with low-passing rates
- Require schools to offer AP courses in basic subjects such as mathematics, science, English, and history at every school
Low-cost Alternative – Actions Recommended:
- Encourage students to request AP courses they would like to take the following year
Building student confidence
Primary Actions Recommended: / Impl. by:- Counselors promote AP courses and their benefits at freshmen orientation and make them aware of financing options
- Conduct motivational assemblies, led by diverse volunteers to whom the students can relate, promoting AP courses.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Research conducted by the Education Trust-West reveals that 61% of LAUSD high schools already have teachers qualified to lead high-level classes. In schools where they do not, attending a relatively low cost College Board workshop would prepare educators for teaching these courses, thus eliminating the necessity to find and hire new qualified teachers. Even this cost can be avoided, using experienced AP teachers to mentor co-workers with potential to teach such courses. The district will have to pay the $83 fee for teachers to take their own AP tests, but this low cost would ensure that they know the material they are teaching. The benefits of cultivating an educated workforce by engaging students at school and exposing them to accelerated courses that prepare them for college justify the minimal expenses.
RATIONALE:
According to a 1999 national study by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, only 1 in 50 Latinos and 1 in 100 African Americans could read information from specialized text, such as the science section of the newspaper. In a district where student backgrounds are quite diverse, focus on such an issue is essential for the benefit of the district and its students. It is imperative that the district endorses the creation of higher standards to be adopted consistently among all L.A. schools. All teachers need to be properly equipped to educate all students well through accelerated honors and AP classes. Requiring proper training for these teachers within the district will be the beginning of something great for these schools, as their students become more advanced in their knowledge and ability. According to a study by the National Center for Educational Accountability, “Students who earned a 3 or higher on one or more AP Exams in the areas of English, mathematics, science, or social studies were more likely to graduate from college in five years or less compared to non-AP students.” Classes that foster high-level learning serve as superb preparation for college, and a sound college education serves as a foundation for an individual’s future success.
First Annual Los Angeles Youth Action Summit on Education
July 17-19, 2007, WebsterMiddle School
Presented by the City of Los Angeles Youth Council and the
California Association of Student Councils (CASC)
Increasing Awareness of Career Opportunities
GROUP MEMBERS: Jasmine Hardy, ShermanOaksCenter for Enriched Studies; Marcy Mejia, New VillageCharterHigh School; Efrain Carcamo, Santee Education Complex; Victoria Anderson, LeapAcademyCharterHigh School; Maribel Juarez, GarfieldHigh School; Sam Woolf, NorthHollywoodHigh School
FACILITATORS: Elaine Kim, PalosVerdesPeninsulaHigh School; Andrew Estep, LoyolaMarymountUniversity
OUR VISION FOR CALIFORNIA EDUCATION:
All high schools in LAUSD provide career and work experience classes for every student, in which every student is motivated to pursue a specific career. All students in LAUSD undergo career training for their desired profession as well as mandatory field experience programs in high school. Students understand the requirements needed in order to pursue their desired career, and career counselors are well informed enough to share information regarding job opportunities with students. As a result of working in a field compatible with their personalities and interests, students return to increase the quality of life in their own communities.
AREAS OF FOCUS:
Career guidance programs for students
Primary Actions Recommended: / Impl. by:- Implement a one-day program or assembly, in which professionals expose students to various career options in their fields and provide them with pertinent and helpful information about each occupation
- Establish a program that provides students with plentiful career internship opportunities
Low-cost Alternative – Actions Recommended:
- Require all students to complete a career aptitude test by their senior year in high school
No-cost Alternative – Actions Recommended:
- Create a student-run program for each campus that informs students about available jobs and connects them with prospective employers.
Mentorship
Primary Actions Recommended: / Impl. by:- Create a program, in which college students visit high school campuses to develop mentoring relationships with high school students in order to advise and help students select a career path
School, Universities
Redefinition of job description for counselors
Primary Actions Recommended: / Impl. by:- Ensure that every school in the district has a career counselor
- Ensure that students meet with their counselors at least twice a year to discuss graduation requirements and post high school plan
No-cost Alternative – Actions Recommended:
- Career counselors and college counselors collaborate to increase efficiency and keep the students’ best interests in mind
FISCAL ANALYSIS: