This morning, Wendy Greuel outlined her ideas to reform Los Angeles' schools, citing her personal experience as an LAUSD graduate and parent:
"I know firsthand how important it is to have flexibility and choice when determining your child’s future. I will approach every decision as a parent, not a politician. [...]
I am proud to say that transforming our public schools will be a centerpiece of my administration, and I commit to being an education reform mayor."
During her remarks at Granada Hills Charter High School, Wendy outlined several specific priorities for reforming Los Angeles' schools and improving the City's education system. In particular, Wendy said she would:
Clik here to view.
- Support Parent Trigger and other laws that give parents a choice. As an LAUSD mom herself, Greuel said she would be a strong advocate for programs and policies that give parents a voice in how their schools are run and in their children's education. "Parents shouldn’t have to settle for a one-size-fits-all approach," Greuel said. "That just doesn’t work for our children."
- Work with Superintendent Deasy to implement a comprehensive evaluation system for teachers and principals. "We know that the single most important factor to a child’s academic success is a quality teacher," said Greuel. She said she will advocate for rules that make it easier to dismiss underperforming teachers, and make sure that we can support effective teachers and principals.
- Create a leadership "pipeline" for teachers and principals. Greuel highlighted the importance of ensuring that the best teachers and principals are in the classroom, and said she believes the City could do more to work with the school district to create programs that will help train teachers and principals for leadership roles.
- Expand LA's BEST, a nationally recognized after school program Greuel helped start with Mayor Tom Bradley 25 years ago. Students who don’t participate in after school activities are nearly 50% more likely to use drugs, and 37% more likely to become teen parents than those who spend between 1 and 4 hours in after school activities.
- Push for a Controller's audit of the LAUSD bureaucracy and a plan to "slash non-school site administrative expenses and put those dollars where the kids are." Greuel said she will work with the district to complete an audit of LAUSD’s leadership to make sure that the district is focusing resources on children instead of downtown bureaucrats.
- Introduce a student Bill of Rights. Greuel said she will advocate for a bill of rights for students that guarantees each child's right to a physically and emotionally safe learning environment, a quality teacher, music and arts education, and an effective curriculum that prepares them for a successful entry into the workforce.
- Revitalize the Safe Passages to School program. Greuel pledged to ensure that every child has not only a safe learning environment, but is safe on their way to and from school each day.
