Improving LAUSD Performance

Re The Times’ “Wish List ‘98,” editorial, Jan. 1: If I could wave a magic wand and give you the improved student scores and performance that you wish for LAUSD, I wouldn’t direct my magic at our teachers’ union, the administrators, nor even the superintendent. I would make this disheartening statistic disappear: 500,000 children in Los Angeles County live in poverty.

Two months ago, United Teachers Los Angeles launched a four-point Excellence for All program calling for high academic standards linked to earned promotion, safe schools for all students, the highest quality teaching available, and decentralized administration of the district to allow the school community greater flexibility in working together.

Last fall, UTLA negotiated several steps to improve the quality of teaching in L.A. One is a program of peer support and intervention to help teachers improve the quality of their work. Another is to reward with a 15% raise LAUSD teachers who achieve National Board certification--meaning they meet the highest, toughest, most results-driven teaching standards in the nation.

There is no magic solution to improving our schools. It will take commitment and lots of hard work by everyone. UTLA is not in the way of better schools. We lead the way to better schools.

DAY HIGUCHI, President

United Teachers Los Angeles