CARECEN is committed to a struggle for education reform at the local and district level. We believe that our community is best served by an educational system that is driven by and centered in the community it serves. This will only happen when schools treat parents and students as equal partners. This vision will be reached by building the leadership capacity of parents and youth, strengthening relationships with allies and by building models and pathways for authentic collaboration.

History

The LAUSD Board’s 1999 "stop order" to halt construction on the first new high school to be built in three decades in the area -- the Belmont Learning Complex – served as a catalyst for CARECEN and community members to organize a concerted campaign for quality education to be delivered in healthy, adequate school facilities in the Pico Union/Westlake area of District 4. All schools in Pico Union/Westlake were operating on a three-track schedule that allowed schools originally designed to serve 750 students to serve over 2100. Even with this draconian schedule, it was necessary for the District to bus over 5,000 children daily to schools outside of the area. Children spent up to three hours per day traveling to and from the San Fernando Valley, Fairfax district and the Westside. Student academic achievement was among the lowest in the nation. At Belmont High School, 73% of immigrant Latino youth dropped out of school before graduation; 3% went to post-secondary schools. CARECEN is invited to serve on the Pilot School Steering Committee.

2008
The Edward Roybal Learning Center and the Vista Hermosa Learning Center open as part of the Belmont Zone of Choice.

CARECEN serves on the design committee of the UCLA Bruin Pilot School scheduled to open in 2010 as part of the Ambassador Hotel complex.

CARECEN receives a grant from UCLA to do youth organizing and research to ensure the equitable implementation of the Belmont Zone of Choice.

CARECEN expands its pilot youth organizing program to two more school sites and begins and on-site youth organizing project.

2007
In February, the LAUSD school board ratifies a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a network of ten autonomous small secondary schools – the Belmont Zone of Choice Pilot Schools. The model is of small schools (500 students each) with collaboration and shared decision-making embedded at the school site, enjoying freedom from locally imposed constraints. The milestone agreement is the result of six years of discussion and negotiations between the community, teachers and the LAUSD.

The Pilot School Network opens with CIVITAS, its first high school, in September. CARECEN leads the youth leadership class on-site and work with CIVITAS students at CARECEN.

CARECEN staff and parent leaders attend the initial Parent Organizing Network Summit. The summit brings forward the idea that all the groups working on parent organizing in Los Angeles need to find ways to work together in a more unified network in order to increase and focus impact.

The Miguel Contreras High School and CIVITAS Pilot School open as part of the Belmont Zone of Choice. CARECEN joins the CIVITAS governing council.

2006
CARECEN joins United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA), Coalition for Education Justice, Community Asset Development Re-Defining Education (CADRE), Community Coalition, Inner-City Struggle, L.A. Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and People Organized for Westside Renewal (POWR) to create a city-wide coalition for educational reform. The coalition gives itself the name, Movement of Organizations to Reform Education in Los Angeles (MORE LA).

2005
CARECEN joins in the launching of the Belmont Educational Collaborative, including CBOs, LAUSD teachers and administrators and CIVITAS autonomous school founders.

2003
Parent involvement meetings provide opportunity for youth, parents, tutors and CARECEN instructors to discuss education concerns and questions.

Quality of Education Campaign rejoices over Belmont go-ahead with newly named Vista Hermosa high school and addresses new issues surrounding the Ambassador Hotel site for a new school complex.

2001
The Quality of Education Campaign continues to fight for completion of the Belmont Learning Complex.

1999
CARECEN joins with parents to call for completion of the Belmont Learning Complex and the Parent leadership program is initiated.

Education Reform Contact: Sherly Chavarria, Program Director (213) 385-7800