Early Education

The Alliance for a Better Community (ABC) has recently begun its early education policy work in June 2005.  The Education Action Team developed a strategic plan and action steps based on the Latino Scorecard recommendations that will help promote academic achievement for Latino students in Los Angeles County.  


Latino Scorecard Recommendation:
Increase the availability and quality of preschool education, including family literacy programs.

Preschool Enrollment
ABC is committed to serving as a policy and practice watchdog and advocate, ensuring that public funds are delivered effectively and equitably so that a greater number of Latino toddlers are receiving quality, culturally relevant preschool experiences.  In doing so, the goal of providing universal preschool to our youth meets the critically important goal of preparing our children for long-term success in school, work and life.  

Research the best practices of L.A. schools that have a strong record of student achievement then replicate these practices throughout the school system.

K-8 Student Achievement
ABC is working to help improve the academic achievement levels of Latino students in grades K-8 in Los Angeles County.  It is important that students gain access to student support services and quality programs and curriculum to ensure academic success.  ABC is working to increase the number of eligible children participating in the Supplementary Educational Services (SES).  Under the federal No Child Left Behind legislation, underperforming schools must provide free tutoring services to students that participate in the free/reduced lunch meal program.  It is important that students receive extra academic support and that this support is provided in an effective manner to positively impact student achievement.  

ABC is also collaborating with UC ACCORD, Tomás Rivera Policy Institute (TRPI), United Way of Greater Los Angeles, LAUSD, and the LAUSD Program Evaluation and Research Bureau (PERB) office to identify schools within the district with strong records of Latino achievement.  ABC will promote that other schools in the district use this data to improve the level of academic outcomes for Latino children.
                                                         Back to top
English Language Learners (ELL)
The Education Action Team also identified the ELL program as one that needs to be addressed in order to effectively improve the academic achievement of Latino students.  ABC will support quality programs that have been proven to help raise ELL student academic achievement, while promoting ELL reform that addresses the preparation of ELL students for success in mainstream education courses.

Strengthen parent involvement to improve children's school performance and preparation for higher educaton.

Parent Engagement
ABC is also working with several groups and individuals representing a number of community based organizations, several divisions of LAUSD and LACOE, and parent groups to develop a set of recommendations and strategies to support parent engagement in the schools and the community.                                         
                                                          Back to top