L.A. Area Chamber Endorses LAUSD School Choice Motion and Announces Plans to Support Prospective School Teams, Operators

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce today announced its endorsement of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) School Choice motion initiated by Board Member Yolie Flores Aguilar.  Hailing the motion as a key milestone in education reform, the L.A. Area Chamber also announced that if passed, the organization will work with its partners to launch the Los Angeles School Development Institute (LASDI) to provide capacity-building support to prospective school teams and operators around proposal development, school design, budgeting, and implementation.

“The L.A. Area Chamber urges the School Board to pass this important motion to reforming our schools,” said Gary Toebben, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  “However, this motion by itself will not ensure that these new schools will adequately prepare our citizens and 21st century workforce.  That is why, the Chamber, together with our partners, will launch the new Los Angeles School Development Institute to support school teams and operators that need help and show promise in meeting the needs of our students.”

The L.A. Area Chamber commends the entire School Board for creating a process that included discussions and amendments — in the best interest of students.  These include the addition of Program Improvement (PI) schools, the guarantee that all children from the school’s neighborhood will be served, and a process for school communities and stakeholders to evaluate and comment on plans submitted. The L.A. Area Chamber will continue to work with a wide group of stakeholders as the motion takes effect and the bidding process is developed.
The L.A. Area Chamber plans to work with a broad range of partners in the development of LASDI including: the LAUSD School Board and Superintendent Ray Cortines, United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA), United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the local higher education community.

The L.A. Area Chamber is a leading advocate for education reform working actively with the district, teachers union, parents, community groups, business and other stakeholders to improve educational outcomes and prepare the next generation workforce.  The L.A. Area Chamber also provides programs to help businesses connect to schools through Pillar — a partnership between the Chamber and the Los Angeles Unified School District.  More information about the L.A. Area Chamber’s education and workforce development initiatives is available at www.lachamber.com.

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The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com.