CONTACT:                                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shannon Haber, 213-393-1289                                   November 2, 2020

Superintendent Austin Beutner Announces Plans
To Bring Small Groups Of Students Back to Schools
In the Safest Way Possible

LOS ANGELES (November 2, 2020) – Superintendent Austin Beutner today announced plans to provide in-person instruction to small groups of students, conduct assessments and instruction for special education students, begin physical conditioning for student athletes and provide extra supports for homeless, foster and other high-needs students. 

Los Angeles Unified’s plan includes: 

• Schools will increase the one-on-one efforts to also include small groups of students, with up to three students in each group. This program begins November 2. 

• Special education professionals will conduct assessments for students, as well as in-person instruction in small groups. This program begins November 9. 

• Coaches will lead athletic conditioning, outside, for small, consistent cohorts of students. This program begins November 9. 

• Schools will provide extra supports for students experiencing homelessness and students who are part of the foster care system. This program begins the week of November 9. 

• Schools will expand supervision of children from high-needs families to provide a safe place to learn and receive meals. This program begins November 2 for grades TK-8 and grades 9-12 on November 9. 

“Even as classes remain online, we continue to work to make sure students have the support they need,” Superintendent Beutner said. “Whether it’s helping a student build a foundation in literacy and math or helping an athlete build conditioning to participate in sports, we are working to address their unique learning needs and interests, while protecting the health and safety of all in the school community.” 

The effort to support homeless and foster students is part of a $1 million commitment Los Angeles Unified announced last week. The money to fund this program is coming from an innovative agreement Los Angeles Unified reached with Verizon in March for broadband access at a significantly reduced cost, which Los Angeles Unified is providing to students and their families for free. In May, the agreement was amended to enable participation by K-12 schools throughout the state of California. Under the amended agreement, Verizon is providing a rebate to Los Angeles Unified based on the usage of the agreement elsewhere in California. To date, this rebate has exceeded $1 million.

All of these efforts involving students, teachers, staff and coaches at schools will be conducted according to the highest level of health practices, including testing all students and staff who are involved for COVID-19 before they start the program. 

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