LA's Promise Schools Achieve Momentous Gains on California High School Exit Exam

10th Graders at West Adams Prep and Manual Arts High Schools show significant improvement in Math and English proficiency

LOS ANGELES, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Results from the March 2011 California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) show impressive gains for 10th graders at West Adams Prep and Manual Arts High Schools, two schools operated by LA's Promise (formerly MLA Partner Schools) in partnership with LAUSD.

10th graders at West Adams experienced an 8 percent increase in proficiency in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Pass rates for ELA and Math went up 5 percent and 9 percent respectively. Students passing both exams increased by 9 percent.

At Manual Arts, the number of 10th graders passing both exams increased by 10 percent.  Only two comprehensive high schools in the district saw greater gains on CAHSEE pass rates.  Pass rates for ELA and Math went up 6 percent and 8 percent respectively. Proficiency rates also increased by 3 percent and 5 percent for ELA and Math.

"We are very proud of these gains," said Dr. Rupi Boyd, Superintendent of LA's Promise schools. "Our results reinforce the imperative that each member of our school communities works together to ensure all of our students learn and achieve at the highest levels."

"We are seeing significant improvement but there is a long road ahead," says Mike McGalliard, President and CEO of LA's Promise.  "West Adams Prep is a consistent strong performer, and Manual Arts has had a breakthrough year.  Quality teaching, a coherent academic program and meaningful assessment will turn

this legacy school around."

The number of Manual Arts' 10th graders passing the CAHSEE on the first attempt more than doubles the district gains. Manual Arts is in its second full year as an LA's Promise school. These academic gains, coupled with a 92 percent attendance rate and a 60 percent reduction in incidents of violence and disruption is a clear indication that Manual Arts is poised for a turnaround.

LA's Promise has evolved into a leader in the national movement to turn around LA's most challenged public schools.  In partnership with the district and labor unions, LA's Promise is pioneering new ideas in school management and instruction to achieve radically different results than the status quo.  Success on the CAHSEE results from an intensive focus on remediation and intervention.  Both LA's Promise high schools outperformed all Local District 7 schools and are in the top 5 comprehensive high schools district wide in CAHSEE gains.

The CAHSEE is one of the greatest determinants of graduation but these increases also have positive implications for both API (Academic Performance Index) and CST (California Standards Test) growth. LA's Promise remains cautiously optimistic but views these significant gains as a great indication of what is to come.

ABOUT LA's PROMISE

LA's Promise, a nonprofit organization, is working to radically shift the education, health and social outcomes for thousands of youth in one South Los Angeles community. This will accomplish a "neighborhood turnaround" in an area we call LA's Promise Neighborhood. LA's Promise Neighborhood is an enrollment zone that includes two large South LA high schools and one middle school operated by LA's Promise on a first-of-its- kind performance contract with LAUSD. Within this zone, LA's Promise transforms chronically failing public schools, opens new schools and re-makes schools into community hubs that offer comprehensive support services for students and families. By doing this, LA's Promise will prepare every child in LA's Promise Neighborhood to be college-ready, healthy and successful in life. LA's Promise also screens and manages more than 50 partners who support these school communities by providing over 200 wraparound services. To learn more about LA's Promise visit www.laspromise.org.

CONTACT Nichol Whiteman nwhiteman@laspromise.org Ph: 213.745.4928 ext 5121

SOURCE LA’s Promise

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