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Los Angeles Unified Commits to Accelerate College Access, Awareness, and Attainment through Dual Enrollment (9-14-2021)

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                     Date: September 14, 2021

Contact: Jennifer Valdivia

(213) 414-4812, j.valdivia@lausd.net                                   

Los Angeles Unified Commits to Accelerate College Access, Awareness, and Attainment through Dual Enrollment

LOS ANGELES – September 14, 2021 – The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education committed to increase access to dual enrollment programs in Local District East, ensuring that our highest-needs students receive support to successfully transition to and through college. The resolution, Accelerating College Access, and Awareness, and Attainment through Dual Enrollment, authored by Board Members Mónica García and Tanya Ortiz Franklin, also affirms that the district will promote a college-going and completion culture, including inviting guest speakers from college and universities, particularly Los Angeles Unified alumni. Additionally, the resolution will support the G.O. College Bridge Program and will continue to build on college awareness. 

“Great Outcomes’ means increased access to college classes and support for our scholars! The G.O. College Bridge early college program eliminates barriers and increases experiences for our students during their high school program through dual enrollment,” former East Los Angeles College student (ELAC) and Board Member Mónica García said. “We have great opportunity and great expectations to increase the great outcomes in our community.” 

“I am excited to co-sponsor today’s resolution,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “Dual enrollment supports high school students as they pursue their educational aspirations by providing access and opportunity to college-level coursework. My hope is to extend college awareness, access and attainment programs across our district, especially to communities that have historically been underserved and underrepresented.” 

“Providing opportunities for more of our students to take community college courses at no cost while in high school, and even middle school, encourages greater academic success,” Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly said. “This dual enrollment will also break down barriers to higher education. I encourage all students to access these enrichment programs.” 

“Our students benefit deeply from the work our schools put in to create a college-going atmosphere on our campuses, even for our earliest learners. Our District’s efforts to create connections with our local colleges and universities, including expanding dual enrollment, will open doors of opportunity for so many students,” Board President Kelly Gonez said. 

“Our goal in LA Unified is to provide every child with the education and skills they need to graduate college-and career-ready—and that responsibility includes expanding access and creating more opportunities that help our students achieve those goals,” Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said. “I’m proud to support programs and partnerships like this one that promote a college-going mindset and the resources to bring these goals to fruition.” 

“We want all high school students to have the opportunity to take community college courses,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “When I was principal at Washington Prep, I encouraged my students to take advantage of courses at Southwest College, which was right down the street.” 

“So pleased to see that this partnership in Local District East, will continue to provide our middle and high school students with meaningful educational opportunities and college preparedness,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “I am hopeful that a similar effort will expand at every local district so that all Los Angeles Unified students will have the same access to dual enrollment programs and a pathway to higher education.”

“Creating a pathway for kids to go to college through the Great Outcomes initiative is a win for everyone,” Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. “Giving our Los Angeles Unified kids an opportunity to take a college class promotes in them a mindset that they are indeed college material. Dual enrollment leads to higher graduation rates and more kids not only go to college but complete college. This is a great way to help close achievement and opportunity gaps. The Board will do all it can to promote this effort.”

“Our dual enrollment partnership with East Los Angeles College is a win-win opportunity for our middle and high school students,” Los Angeles Unified Local District East Superintendent José P. Huerta said. “This dual enrollment resolution will provide all Los Angeles Unified students the opportunity to take college-level courses and get a head start on the college experience. We strive to provide our students with as many equitable opportunities as possible to help prepare them for college, career and beyond.”

“East Los Angeles College classes are available to all our students in the fall and spring semesters,” James A. Garfield Senior High School Principal Andres Favela said. “These classes give students the opportunity to experience what college courses are like while they are still in high school and helps them earn college credit. Each semester we offer eight dual enrollment classes that are held on campus and taught by ELAC instructors. We currently have more than 150 students who enrolled in ELAC classes for the Fall of 2021.”


“The Accelerating College Access, Awareness, and Attainment through Dual Enrollment resolution is an awesome opportunity for our community to continue to understand the benefits of the college-going culture, from pre-K through 12th grade,” ELAC Vice President of Student Services Miguel Deuñas said. “Through the years, we have seen an increase on college-going culture at our schools and communities, especially in Local District East. Our goal at ELAC and through the G.O. programs is to increase college-going services and support to our students and community members. The Early college program has provided many benefits to our students such as increasing college persistence and completion, earning college credit towards a degree or certificate, and giving students access to campus resources, including counseling, library, student health center and more. How amazing is it to have our students and our kids take college courses before they graduate high school. Letting them know that they are college ready. We definitely need to ensure that all our students have access to these opportunities, and thank the board for supporting this resolution because our community needs it. We cannot wait; we need to ensure that our students have access to better resources so that they can be successful and return to their communities and demonstrate the strength that our community has through education.”

 

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