Family of Schools Program

This concept is an innovation, based upon the New York Chancellor's District. This innovative urban project is based upon the premise that teachers will be the center of decision-making along with other stakeholders. Decisions made will cover key areas, such as:

• expenditures of funds
• creation of curricula
• professional development
  

Parent entering this model can and should get involved from the moment their child enters their early childhood education center.This model can be used to strengthen communities and create communities. Parents will be able to be involved in the life of every one of the schools their children will be going to and help improve those schools before they actually get there.

The Family of Schools Project schools is not just education innovation, but urban innovation. The model involves creation of a family of schools where parent participation would be nurtured from a child's first days in the school system. The city could help with safe passages and healthcare, because a healthy child learns better, stays in school more days and therefore generates more money through average daily attendance. And teachers are in school more because healthy kids do not pass along germs.

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Outline for Family of Schools Program
- UTLA Plan for School Reform -

A vertical grouping of schools which would be comprised of:

• Early Education Centers (3)
• Elementary Schools (3)
• Middle Schools (1)
• High Schools (1)
• Adult Schools (1)
• Continuation High School (1)
  

Smaller units would allow for the sharing of both:

• Financial Resources
• Personnel Resources
  

Additional Benefits

• Shared vision of student achievement through a family wide design of:
  1. Curriculum and
     
  2. Professinal development
     

Shared Fiscal Resources would allow for flexibility in money allocation within a family of schools to:

• Purchase services outside the district
• Greater purchasing power
• Potential saving which could be put back into the family
  

UTLA role as a family sponsor in consultation & help with LAUSD would be to solicit services from outside vendors or internal sources for assistance in:

• Back Office Management
• Curriculum Development
• Professional Development
• Seek support from universities/trade schools, non-profits to assist in student placement
• Act as a link between unions to set-up apprenticeships
• Help in forming partnerships with the chamber of commerce and other businesses or unions to foster community based learning.

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