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Section 3 from:

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A Fresh Start

The Villaraigosa Administration
Preliminary / Executive Summary

May 31, 2005

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3. Education

I believe that the future health and vitality of Los Angeles is directly tied to the future health and vitality of our public schools. I believe the bedrock for learning is a safe school environment supported by parents, educators, and the community. I know that teachers are the key, and I believe that every child can learn and achieve at high levels. I intend to be a forceful advocate for education improvement and reform.

I want to use the Mayor’s Office as a powerful tool to lead the way toward improving our schools, raising student achievement and closing achievement gaps. Some of these initiatives will include:

• Expand the Mayor’s role and responsibilities in education I will partner with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), parents, teachers and community stakeholders to expand the Mayor’s role and responsibility in education. Many people have expressed a desire for a single chief executive and I am committed to providing that leadership. • Make schools the centers of our communities I will use my office to foster opportunities for increased parent involvement. Parents must become more active participants in the learning life of their children. Schools are currently treated as single use entities and are not fulfilling their potential as community assets. By co-locating public facilities and community services, such as park space, libraries and healthcare providers, schools can elevate their usefulness and serve as centers of community hubs. • School safety I will work with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Unified School District, LAUSD Police and parents to ensure that students have safe passage to and from school. We cannot tolerate children being fearful of traveling or going to school. • Advocate for smaller schools with increased local control I will be an outspoken advocate for smaller schools and greater control of local schools by parents and teachers. I will work to ensure high levels of parent participation in local schools. Rather than concentrating power at the top, I believe that the existing leadership needs to place their trust in the people closest to the children and who best understand their needs.

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click here for the full 10 page A Fresh Start The Villaraigosa Administration Preliminary / Executive Summary May 31, 2005: 053105-A Fresh Start.pdf (pdf format) .