About The L.A. Compact - Executive Summary
Overview
Without an effective public school system, Los Angeles will not be able to meet the economic, social and cultural challenges of the coming decades. Increasing diversity and multi-culturalism, globalism, the changing job market, technological advancements – these are just some of the issues that must be addressed if students in Los Angeles are to be adequately prepared for college, sustainable jobs and careers in a 21st century global economy. The Los Angeles public education system faces a daunting task to keep pace with these challenges, especially in light of unprecedented economic times and budget cuts. While past Los Angeles public school reform efforts have had varied levels of success, there has never been a concerted, collaborative effort made by major Los Angeles institutions to prioritize problems and develop solutions to effect positive and lasting improvements in the area’s public school system.
The Collaborative
The L.A. Compact represents an unprecedented commitment of 18 major Los Angeles institutions to support significant directional changes to better prepare students in Los Angeles for college and sustainable jobs and careers. The L.A. Compact, which is modeled after the successful Boston Compact signed in 1982, is established based on the belief that all students can achieve at high levels and seeks to ensure that all students graduate from high school, and are ready for college and the 21st century workplace. The L.A. Compact focuses on areas of shared interest where all signers can work together, despite their differences. The current economic situation makes it imperative for these entities to closely collaborate and better leverage resources. The L.A. Compact partners include:
- Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District
- Board President, Los Angeles Unified School District
- Mayor, City of Los Angeles
- President, Los Angeles City Council
- President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
- President, Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
- President & CEO, United Way of Greater Los Angeles
- Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor/AFL-CIO
- Institutions of Higher Education (greater Los Angeles basin, 11 total)
The L.A. Compact partners are working together to accomplish the following agreed upon goals:
| GOAL ONE: | All students graduate from high school. |
| GOAL TWO: | All students have access to and are prepared for success in college. |
| GOAL THREE: | All students have access to pathways to sustainable jobs and careers. |
To achieve these goals, the L.A. Compact partners will be undertaking joint strategies and initiatives to:
- Achieve high quality teaching and learning in classrooms
- Build collaborative leadership capacity
- Streamline and decentralize operations
- Expand innovative practices that are working
- Implement a new accountability system
- Coordinate advocacy on priority educational policy and funding issues
- Provide students multiple pathways for workforce and career preparation
- Ensure support services for all students and families
These joint strategies and initiatives are linked directly to the goals above, and backed by commitments made by each L.A. Compact partner. Specific metrics are also included to assess progress and success on an ongoing basis.
Download this document in PDF format: Executive Summary
“The L.A. Compact signifies a major step forward for educational reform in Los Angeles.”
— Jack O'Connell, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Are you interested in showing your support for the L.A. Compact?
Sign up to be an L.A. Compact supporter or download logos.
Download PDF versions of the Compact on the documents page.
