LMU Family of Schools Programs and Initiatives
Governance
:
Guiding the
creation of individual school governance councils, with balanced representation
among stakeholder groups; providing educational resources, support, and training,
both from LMU and LAUSD, in collaborative decision-making, governance, and
budget oversight.
School Research
Committee Technical Assistance and Support: LMU continues to provide ongoing technical assistance and
resources to stakeholder research. LMU has
supported the research teams from Westchester High, Orville Wright Middle, Cowan
Avenue Elementary, Westport Heights Elementary, and Kentwood
Elementary schools to investigate
models of governance, operational management, and instructional success at public
schools throughout California
students. Work from the research teams,
which began in January, will continue to inform the work of the transition
teams and future governance bodies.
Transition Team/Governance
Council Support:
LMU will work with five schools to build and enhance each school’s capacity for
local decision-making and developing local governance bodies.
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Professional Development: providing professional
development opportunities and identifying appropriate resources within the
university and beyond to address the needs identified at each school.
CMAST: The Center for Math & Science
Teaching along with faculty from the College
of Science and
Engineering, will work with eighth and ninth grade math and science teachers to
increase student achievement and interest in math and science.
Academic
Performance Review and Needs Assessment: LMU staff and faculty will coordinate
a review of the key instructional performance areas at each school. Leveraging outside resources, this will
include a review of instructional programs for equity and access. The results of this review will help school
leadership teams identify priority areas of focus to close achievement gaps and
raise performance outcomes.
Teacher
Development and Support: LMU will work with each school to
identify the teachers credential needs (including the CLAD certificate). In conjunction with the school leadership
team, and the LAUSD Division of Human Resources, LMU will develop a program to begin
to address their credentialing needs.
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External
Partnerships: LMU will work to raise funds in
support of the LMU FOS collaboration. In
addition, LMU will work with each school to establish school-based Parent and
Community Action Councils.
Arts LINK: ArtsLink, will work with teachers
in the partner elementary schools to develop a comprehensive arts infusion
strategy.
Parent and Community Engagement:
Work to
develop processes and structures for effective parent and community involvement
in the Family of Schools.
Human Relations Training and Support:
Provide
education on intercultural affairs and human relations to guide stakeholders through
a dialogue process to better understand assets from diverse communities.
K-12 College
Access and Readiness Programming: LMU will leverage local support to implement a
college readiness program from K-12 to instill a college-going culture. (See also Upward Bound Program description
below).
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ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS:
Upward Bound: Serves as a college-preparedness
program for students from Westchester
High School. The goal of the four-year
program is to increase the rate at which participants complete college.
Job Skills Readiness Program: Building Bridges for Others is a
résumé-building and employment skills workshop conducted by the LMU Student
Employment Services. SES worked with
more than 100 Westchester
High school students,
beginning in the winter of 2008 to create and update résumés as well as learn
valuable information from potential employers.
In addition, a specialized program, in conjunction with the
District Office of Transition Services and Start on Success, will be
implemented for students with disabilities.
Student Mentoring: The LMU for Others mentoring
program pairs Westchester
High School freshman and
LMU staff together to provide additional supportive relationships for students
identified by WHS teachers and counselors.
A specialized mentoring program pairing students with
disabilities with LMU School of Education students will provide mentoring
support to this targeted population.