STATE ASSEMBLY APPROVES MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA'S SCHOOL REFORM BILL

LOS ANGELES. The California State Assembly voted yesterday to approve AB 1381, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's legislation to fundamentally reform the Los Angeles Unified School District. Clearing the final legislative hurdle with a current vote of 42 - 20, AB 1381 now heads to the Governor who has indicated he will sign it into law.

Mayor Villaraigosa called the passage of AB 1381 a historic vote for change. "Today, both houses of the Legislature are in agreement that we need fundamental reform in our schools," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "Make no mistake, this is a milestone that comes but once in a generation. We have brought parents, teachers, and community leaders together around the idea that we can and must do better for our children."

Earlier in the day, the Assembly Education Committee approved the measure. Yesterday, the State Senate voted with bipartisan support 23-14 to pass AB 1381.

"This is a momentous step toward improving school achievement and creating a brighter future for our children in Los Angeles," Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles) said. "Through the effort of parents, students, teachers, and Mayor Villaraigosa we have moved what many thought immovable. Final passage of this bill signals not only a desire, but an ability to affect change and make a difference in the education of our children."

"Education is the great equalizer, and we can no longer tolerate the status quo in the LAUSD," said Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles). "With this legislation we are sending a clear message to the children of the LAUSD that the American Dream is still alive and we will help them achieve it."

AB 1381 is backed by a broad-based group of business, education and community leaders in Los Angeles. Key endorsements include: the Los Angeles City Council; the Southeast Cities School Coalition - consisting of the cities of Bell, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate and Vernon; Speaker Nunez; Senate Pro Tem Perata; Senate Majority Leader Romero; Assembly Majority Leader Frommer; Richard Riordan, Former Mayor of Los Angeles; California Teachers Association (CTA), United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA); the Building and Construction Trades; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO; Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; California Chamber of Commerce; the California Business Roundtable; Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; Central City Association (CCA); the United Chamber of Commerce San Fernando Valley; ACORN; Small Schools Alliance; and the Los Angeles Parents' Union.

The guiding principle behind AB 1381 is that in order to successfully improve student achievement, raise the graduation rate and close achievement gaps, the Los Angeles Unified School District must be fundamentally reformed. The governance structure outlined in AB 1381 will be the vehicle for achieving that fundamental reform by bringing in new leadership, creating greater accountability, empowering educators and parents, and giving local leaders a voice in their local schools.