LA Students Count - Impact on Students

In recent years, the LAUSD has made hard-fought gains academically in the classroom. Today, 91 percent of District schools have an Academic Performance Index (API) score of 600 or higher, compared to 24 percent in 1999.*

California has ranked below the U.S. average in K-12 per-pupil spending for the past decade. The State spends approximately $2,000 LESS per student than the national average and places 48th in per-pupil spending when adjusted for the cost of living.

As a result of the proposed cuts, LAUSD will be forced to cut a staggering $350 million in programs during the upcoming school year.

Although the provisional budget passed by the Los Angeles Board of Education preserves classroom programs such as class size, our students’ education cannot afford to be threatened by state budget cuts year after year. Deep cuts proposed by the Governor threaten to impact early education, career technical training and programs for remedial and gifted students. These types of budget cuts are unacceptable and would increase the LAUSD’s dropout rate, lower graduation levels and widen the achievement gap.
Below are examples of the types of programs and academic achievements jeopardized by the continued practice of balancing the state’s budget on the backs of our children.

* An API score is a number that summarizes the performance of a group of students, a school, or a district on California’s standardized tests.




In recent years, the LAUSD has made hard-fought gains academically in the classroom. Today, 91 percent of District schools have an Academic Performance Index (API) score of 600 or higher, compared to 24 percent in 1999.* California has ranked below the U.S. average in K-12 per-pupil spending for the past decade. The State spends approximately $2,000 LESS per student than the national average and places 48th in per-pupil spending when adjusted for the cost of living. As a result of the proposed cuts, LAUSD will be forced to cut a staggering $350 million in programs during the upcoming school year. Although the provisional budget passed by the Los Angeles Board of Education preserves classroom programs such as class size, our students’ education cannot afford to be threatened by state budget cuts year after year. Deep cuts proposed by the Governor threaten to impact early education, career technical training and programs for remedial and gifted students. These types of budget cuts are unacceptable and would increase the LAUSD’s dropout rate, lower graduation levels and widen the achievement gap. Below are examples of the types of programs and academic achievements jeopardized by the continued practice of balancing the state’s budget on the backs of our children. Eastside Oasis of Learning - April 28, 2008 A Season of Firsts - May 5, 2008 Budget Cuts Threaten Gains at Top API Schools - May 12, 2008 The School that Graphically Develops Career Opportunities - May 19, 2008 Budget Cuts Could Derail Students on the Road to College - May 26, 2008 Legacy Built by Mariachi Students Threatened by Budget Cuts Program Offering Second Chance to School Dropouts Faces Budget Cuts Budget Cuts Force the LAUSD to Trim Summer School Honors Music Concerts Could Face Budget Cuts in 2008-09 Budget Cuts Could Impact LAUSD Summer Recreation Programs * An API score is a number that summarizes the performance of a group of students, a school, or a district on California’s standardized tests.						BUDGET CRISIS IN THE NEWS: (Links to Articles) Napa Valley Register School cuts hit Napa... San Diego Union Tribune Enrollment increases at schools... Berkeley Daily Planet State Budget Will Have Major... More Articles... CALENDAR OF EVENTS October 24, 2008 - 9 a.m. DAC Monthly Meeting PCSB Building Click here for other September/October 2008 LAUSD events