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Superintendent Austin Beutner Outlines Goals (10-30-19)
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shannon Haber, 213-241-6766 October 30, 2019
Superintendent Austin Beutner Outlines Goals
LOS ANGELES – Superintendent Austin Beutner shared on Tuesday the highlights of his first year as leader of Los Angeles Unified, as well as his work to strengthen relationships between schools and the communities they serve.
Superintendent Beutner spoke with education leaders and community and philanthropic partners in a conversation moderated by Dr. Karen Symms Gallagher, Dean of the University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education.
“The USC Rossier School of Education was pleased to host this conversation with Superintendent Beutner on important topics and initiatives within Los Angeles Unified,” Dean Gallagher said. “We view Los Angeles Unified as a fellow traveler and partner in our own mission and quest: to improve learning opportunities and outcomes and help achieve educational equity for all Los Angeles-area children and youth.”
Superintendent Beutner noted that graduation rates are at a record high; scores on state tests increased at every level; and chronic absences and suspension rates are down. He added the pace of progress must increase, and Los Angeles Unified must be more transparent in order to build the public’s trust.
“We need to accelerate the pace of progress,” he said. “The path forward needs to be built on a series of targeted, sometimes small steps, and the cumulative impacts of these will create the progress we want to see.”
Superintendent Beutner also announced a new partnership with the USC Race and Equity Center, led by Professor and Executive Director Dr. Shaun R. Harper, to help train principals in culturally responsive strategies to promote racial and educational equity. The partnership will also help identify where resources can be found to help better serve students most in need.
“I am excited about the partnership to align our Center’s expertise and resources with Los Angeles Unified’s commitment to improve and advance racial equity,” Dr. Harper said. “This effort to advance equity aligns with the community focus Superintendent Beutner outlined today.”
Superintendent Beutner also called on community partners to invest in Los Angeles Unified students as the leaders of tomorrow. “We need the entire community of Los Angeles engaged in our schools – civic and grassroots organizations, business, labor and philanthropic communities, faith-based communities, and city, county and state elected leaders,” he said.
Superintendent Beutner was also joined by Board President Dr. Richard Vladovic who provided welcoming remarks.
“Education is an ‘all hands on deck’ enterprise,” Dr. Vladovic said. “We need all elements of our community to get involved and help us. An educated community attracts jobs, has lower crimes, and keeps our region competitive in the global economy. Unity is key. We are a district of one, and everyone counts.”
A video of Superintendent Beutner’s conversation at USC Rossier School of Education can be viewed here.
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