LA Times, "L.A. Unified bests reform groups in most cases, data show"

In recent math and English test scores, the Los Angeles school district outperformed schools run by outside organizations championing reform efforts and aided by  outside funding and other extra resources. Strikingly, schools controlled by L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa showed less improvement than district schools by some key measures. The mayor tried unsuccessfully six years ago to take over the entire district. - HTN Foundation

L.A. Unified bests reform groups in most cases, data show

Struggling schools under district control see test scores rise more than most operated by the mayor, a charter organization and others, a Times analysis finds.

Graduates celebrate at Locke High School. The charter school saw lower percentage-point increases in test scores than similar LAUSD schools. (Arkasha Stevenson / Los Angeles Times)

By Howard Blume and Sandra Poindexter
Los Angeles Times
August 18, 2011

In a surprising challenge to four school reform efforts run by outside organizations, the Los Angeles school district has not only held its own in improving math and English test scores, but in most cases outpaced the others, according to a Times analysis of the city's lowest-performing schools.

The district's showing was even more surprising given that its schools didn't benefit from outside funding and other extra resources brought in by reform groups for their schools.

"The results are eye-opening, that conventional schools display stronger results," said Bruce Fuller, a UC Berkeley education professor.

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