| Many, many people live in Los Angeles. As of the | | | | students who are even more prepared to enter |
| latest census there were an estimated 9,948,081 | | | | college or the workforce than the previous |
| people living there. Los Angeles covers a land area | | | | generation of students. |
| of 4,061 square miles, with 2,344 persons | | | | More effective Los Angeles Schools teachers are |
| occupying each of those areas. It goes without | | | | those who have attended inservice training, and |
| saying that this is a lot of people! Several of these | | | | have learned about "best teaching practices"; a |
| residents have children; 27.6% of these residents | | | | national philosophy of teaching that attempts to |
| are persons from 5 years old to 18 years old. | | | | give all students the attention they need and |
| That's a lot of kids…over 710,000 to be | | | | deserve in a safe, effective learning environment. |
| exact. These students attend one of the many | | | | Giving extra attention to students in need, such |
| Los Angeles Schools, where they are served by | | | | as those who have fallen behind in school is the |
| the Los Angeles Schools 74,000 district | | | | 3rd goal of the project. Los Angeles Schools want |
| employees. | | | | all their students to succeed; but some students |
| With so many "clients" to serve, Los Angeles | | | | need more help reaching this goal than others. |
| Schools need lots of help, and plenty of it comes | | | | More teachers, innovative curriculum, and special |
| from grants, state funding, and donations from | | | | programs are necessary to help these students |
| private organizations. While money won't solve all | | | | reach their potential. |
| the issues, it is indeed an important component in | | | | In a city that is home to Hollywood, one would |
| the quest to improve the education provided by | | | | expect there to be an excellent Arts program. |
| Los Angeles Public Schools. | | | | The school system serving Los Angeles Schools |
| For example, a new project, entitled "Ed in '08" | | | | works diligently to make this happen. In fact, |
| has started. Named "Strong American Schools" | | | | recent and highly significant state allocations to the |
| and partly funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates | | | | Visual and Performing Arts education have been |
| Foundation, "Ed in '08" has a platform based on | | | | made. Nearly $47 million will go to the Los Angeles |
| higher standards, more effective teaching, and | | | | Schools, and is earmarked for dance, music, |
| extra attention to Los Angeles Schools students | | | | theatre, and visual arts instruction. Los Angeles |
| who need it. The campaign hopes to inspire | | | | Schools have a great interest in graduating |
| voters to force presidential candidates from both | | | | students who are skilled in these areas; why not |
| parties to make education the top priority and to | | | | use hometown talent to drive the movie |
| take up its agenda. Higher standards for students | | | | business? |
| means that the Los Angeles Schools will turn out | | | | |