ADVOCATING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
BPO Guide
ã LACES Black Parent Organization
5931 W. 18th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Background/Purpose
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n April 30, 2007 the BPO had it’s first meeting at LACES in classroom 204 hosted by parents John Galloway, Pam Baker and Deana Galloway. 20 parents were in attendance. The main focus for the BPO was to form a partnership with African American parents/students and LACES teachers/staff in a setting that was accessible to everyone wherein educational information would be disseminated and advocacy for higher learning could be achieved. As we endeavored, it became apparent that although the lines of communication were open, all educational information was not reaching African American parents.
Priority: Closing the Achievement Gap - was listed as a priority for LACES WASC accreditation, however, with regard to AP and Honors classes African American students were not visible. In fact, many who had initially signed up for those classes were signing themselves out and into regular classes without parent knowledge or permission. The long term affect of doing so would become apparent when students created their resumes to apply for college and realized that they were not as competitive as they had hoped. An agreement was made with the principal to not allow students to sign themselves out of these classes until a meeting with counselor and parent had been held. Colleges/Universities compare classes taken with what is offered at LACES. LACES is a college prep magnet school offering a rigorous course schedule and admissions offices are very familiar with our course schedule. Resources in place to help close the achievement gap at LACES include Mathmania, Algebra Experience, intervention programs, after school study groups and AVID.
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1 Background/Purpose
! What Parents can do
: BPO Accomplishments
Communicating
Priority: Test Scores - Although African American student’s test scores are among the highest in our district, a huge disparity remained between African American students and other ethnic sub groups within LACES.
Priority: African American parent involvement at LACES - Another goal of the BPO was to boost African American parent involvement and dispel the myth that black parents did not care about and were uninvolved in their student’s education. As of today, our presence at LACES is very apparent.
Academic Rigor
AP/Honors Classes - For many years there has been an underlying stigma that AP and Honors Classes are too difficult for African American students and their attendance in these classes was extremely low. Students shared concerns that there were no students in these classes that looked like them and that there was an over abundance of homework. Although AP and Honors classes cover more information and require more homework, they are not classes to be feared. AP classes also require summer homework that is due either just prior to the start of the new school year or during the first week of school. Through many discussions, the BPO made a push to get parents to encourage their student(s) to sign up for and stay in AP classes. Too date, the number of African American students attending and passing these classes has increased significantly. Please note that all 6th grade classes are honors level classes.
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Academic Rigor - This is one of the most important terms in a student’s high school journey. Academic Rigor is the strength of the course work that a student takes compared to the courses available within the context of the student’s high school. Rigor is a very important element of a competitive college application. Parents and students should begin to prepare for academic rigor as early as 8th grade.
BPO Meeting format
Meeting Format - BPO meetings are generally the second Monday of each month for approximately 1 ½ hrs at LACES in the library beginning at 6pm. Our format includes school information, principle’s report, student experiences, open discussion with questions and answers, department head presentation(s) and outside guest speakers. Meetings are led by Co-Chairs who have been elected into position every 2 years. Other elected positions include secretary and treasurer. Event leaders are self nominated and appointed.
Guest Speakers - Many guest speakers have attended the BPO meetings over the years to assist in advocating for our students and making sure that parents are equipped with the knowledge and resources to help students succeed. Below is a list of featured guest speakers:
• Mr. Rakin Hall, Associate Director of Admissions, USC
• Ms. Corliss Bennett, USC
• Mr. Warren Wilson, KTLA News
• Mrs. Kris Terry, Principal Animo Charter
• Ms. Tatiyana, Algebra Institute
• Mr. Wilson, West Angeles Church
• Ms. Crystal Crawford, Esq. – College Conquerors
• Mr. Cordell Haynes, Scholars in Progress
• Dr. Tyrone Howard, UCLA Professor
• Ms. Nicole Ford, Stepping in the Right Direction HBCU Tours
• Mr. Gregory Delahoussaye, HBCU Tours
• Mr. Hiram Channell, CSU
• Mrs. Karen Grace-Baker, Raising our Expectations, Right Track College Counselor
• Ms. Gay Havard, Superintendent, Local District 3
• Dr. William Franklin, Assoc. VP of Student Services, Cal-State Dominquez Hills
What has BPO accomplished?
Academic Performance Index (API) - is used to measure a school’s performance. The highest API score is 1000. The school as a whole maintains one API score while each ethnic sub group maintains another. On September 14, 2009 our prinicipal announced at the 3.0Plus GPA Ceremony that the African American students API scores had jumped 55pts. This was truly a time for celebration as our students surpassed the estimated increase of a single digit figure to a double digit figure. This had been the biggest jump ever in our API score. As of 2010 our scores have jumped another 26pts putting the African American student’s API score over 800.
3.0PLUS GPA Ceremony - It is always advantageous for our parents to meet and discuss progress, needs and solutions. In one of our past meetings former LACES parent Karen Grace-Baker suggested that we acknowledge the achievements of all African American students who obtain a 3.0 GPA and higher. Usually only students who achieve 4.0 status had been recognized. In holding this type of ceremony a greater number of students would be encouraged to achieve more. Feedback from students has been extremely positive. This one event encourages a more competitive academic edge. Because of our efforts, LACES also now recognizes students school wide with a 3.0 and above GPA.
BPO Teacher Forum - was held on October 24, 2007 - Counselors/teachers met with BPO Board members to discuss issues that they observed with our students. First and foremost was ALL students must come to class prepared with all homework completed. Students should be taking good notes, be organized and have student planners. Student planners are available through the counseling office if students cannot afford one. Another concern was with older students putting on make-up/cosmetics in the classroom. This is very disruptive and students should be advised against putting make-up on during class. Attitudes – there were concerns regarding students being cooperative and respectful in class. Students should be reminded that teachers are not their peers and if a problem should arise students should be taught the proper tools for conflict resolution which includes parents, teachers and administration.
Stay Involved
Stay Connected
What Parents Can Do
Getting off to a good start - Make sure your students are prepared for class (e.g. book covers, pencils, pens, calculators, paper, binders). Talk to your children. Communication is important to understand what your child has to say about his or her education, teachers, homework, and school.
Monitor your student's homework - As a parent you do not necessarily have to understand or be able to explain all the assignments that your student(s) receive, but you can monitor your student(s) to make sure they are really working and understanding the homework. Read with your middle school age student(s). Always get to know your student’s teachers. Attending meetings and asking questions keep you informed of teachers qualifications and experience. Talk to teachers so you know what is expected of your student in each class and whether your student is meeting these expectations. Make sure your student(s) are in the most challenging classes that will prepare them to succeed in college and work. Ask for your own copy of the state academic standards for each subject, use them to make sure you know what your student is expected to learn in school. Ask for a syllabus or outline of the work your student will receive during the year.
Turn off TVs and playstationgames
Parent Expectations - We should make sure to not only be concerned with GPAs but to also make sure that African American students are comprehending what they are learning. Sit down with your students. Review and identify problem areas. In today’s competitive world, students and parents must go the extra mile, (e.g. asking for extra meetings with the teacher to keep communication open, asking for tutoring, enrolling in enrichment classes outside of LACES). More African American Parent Involvement - Over the last several years BPO parents have stepped up and made their presence known at LACES. It is important to meet with counselors, meet with teachers and volunteer when available.
Some areas of volunteering
Cafeteria, School Site Council (SSC), Shared Decision Making (SDM), Compensatory Education Advisory Committee (CEAC), Friends of LACES (FOL), hosting of teacher/staff appreciation breakfasts, helping in classrooms, U-House Festival, sports games, etc.
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B l a c k H i s t o r y M o n t h
In 2007 when the BPO was formed we realized that nothing was being done to celebrate Black History Month at LACES. We spear-headed events such as the Black History Month Annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. This fundraiser has enabled us to provide for purchasing supplies, paying for rental fees, hosting GPA ceremonies, paying for bus transportation and most importantly scholarships for Seniors through the John Galloway Memorial Scholarship. BPO also hosted a skate party for Black Music Appreciation. Our parents have used their connections to have a premiere showing of the Denzel Washington movie “The Great Debaters” at LACES. BPO coordinated and fundraised to present actress Ella Joyce in the play “A Rose Among Thorns (A Tribute to Rosa Parks),” at LACES. Students also participated in a field trip to the play “Passing on the Legacy”, BPO hosted the House of Blues Music tribute and co-hosted the presentation of play “Passing Solo” by the Town Street Theatre.
Communicating with LACES
Blue sheets/print outs – are a way in which parents can keep track of what their student is doing in each individual class. The print outs are requested by the student from each teacher on Thursdays. The print outs will show any missing assignments and test scores. Please always make sure that your student’s assignments are credited to them when they are turned in. While some teachers may give credit for late homework, others may not. Make sure you know the teacher’s policies. Additionally, some teachers may assign extra-credit and others may not.
Progress reports – are issued every 5 weeks for each student (5wk, 10wk, 15wk and 20wk). 5 and 15 week are handed out in homeroom and hand-carried home. 10 and 20 week are mailed home. The 20 week grades for each semester are reported as final grades. They cannot be changed. 9th through 11th grades are used when applying to colleges/universities. Encourage your student(s) to maintain A’s and B’s. Any other grade will bring your cumulative GPA down dramatically. If your students receive slashes on progress reports don’t assume that all is great. By the time you receive the progress report we are already 2 weeks into the next 5 weeks. Parents introduce yourself to the teachers and counselors. Stay on top of assignments.
Program repair days – were previously scheduled during August for parents/students to meet with grade level counselors to accommodate class scheduling changes for all students prior to the start of the new school year. Because of significant budget cuts Program repair days are not available. You may want to advocate for future reinstatement. These repair days alleviate major stress and confusion at the beginning of the school year.
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Contacting Teachers/Counselors - Phone calls can be made to the main office and they will take phones messages and place them in the designated teacher’s mailbox. Teachers check their mailboxes daily. Parent phone calls are returned as soon as possible. You will find mailboxes listed alphabetically in the main office. Handwritten/typed notes should be placed in the designated teacher’s mail box in the main office. Teachers check their mailboxes daily. ISIS Module for parents allows you to check your student’s grades and monitor missing assignments. Please note ….not all teachers are using the ISIS Module. If you are having a problem reaching a teacher, please contact your student’s counselor. Your last resort would be to contact our principal.
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The Parent Center – is located on the 1st floor of the main building across from room 103. The Parent Center is all about LACES parents. All are welcome in the Parent Center every day. Come in, meet new parents and find out what’s going at LACES. You will find posted information, educational brochures, flyers for upcoming events, stored items and so much more. The last Friday of the month is an informal gathering called “Coffee Stop” and it begins at 7:45am. This is parent time to socialize so make sure to stop by sometime during the school year.