Los Angeles, CA - The Communities for Educational Equity (CEE), a coalition co-convened by the Alliance for a Better Community (ABC), and several nonprofits met with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday, July 13, to talk about the importance of prioritizing the recruitment, retention, professional development, and promotion of effective educators.  

Held at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) building, the event gathered L.A.-based education experts, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) officials, teachers, advocates and organizers from nonprofits, as well as foundation representatives.  

"We felt an urgency to define common priorities  for all of those committed to transforming our schools, such as the next steps needed to secure quality instruction in each classroom and full parental engagement," said Angelica Solis, executive director for ABC.  "Joining the voices of parents we work with, our community partners and the mayor, is crucial to achieving the transformations we need to see in district bargaining agreements and statewide policy," added Solis.

During the discussion, participants referenced a report by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) that evaluates LAUSD policies and practices, and an analysis by Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes that proposes changes to the evaluation system for educators.  Several participants stressed the role of meaningful professional development opportunities for teachers and principals that lead to improved outcomes for students.  

"Just as every child deserves a highly effective teacher at the front of the classroom, every teacher deserves a fair and transparent evaluation system based on multiple measures," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.  "We need teachers, students and parents to come together and recognize that what's best for our students IS what's best for our teachers.  We need the entire community to recognize that building strong schools is a precursor to building a strong city.  We need to engage at a grassroots level--parents, community-members, business and civic leaders, and the civil rights community--to fulfill the promise of effective and energized public schools that graduate students who are career and college ready," the mayor said.

The discussion with Mayor Villaraigosa is one of several efforts by CEE and ABC to identify solutions to education challenges faced by families across Los Angeles, and inform district, statewide, and federal policies by: advocating, organizing, and training.  Through these efforts, CEE and ABC will harness community assets to transform schools and school systems.  

For more information about the July 13 discussion, or about CEE and ABC, please contact Unai Montes-Irueste at 213.250.0052 or E-mail unai@afabc.org.