LOS ANGELES : L.A. Schools Enrollment Growth Declines Sharply

A slowdown in enrollment in the Los Angeles Unified School District has prompted the school board to study a number of measures to better utilize classroom space.

School officials believe that the weak state economy and the riots last spring have contributed to enrollment growth of only 1,507 in 1992, bringing the total student population to 641,206, according to a report released Monday. In 1989, enrollment swelled by 15,347; in 1990 it grew by 15,312 and in 1991 by 14,238.

Although the district projects that enrollment will continue to grow, by perhaps as many as 180,000 students by 2000, officials report that there will be sufficient classroom space for the 1993-94 school year.

The report, which will be considered by the board in January, recommended that the district move forward with plans to accommodate growth, such as continuing with 19 school construction projects and reorganizing high school to include grades nine through 12 instead of 10 through 12. But the board will evaluate plans to have fewer multitrack sessions at some year-round schools.

District officials have also proposed a pilot program in which parents could choose among a cluster of feeder schools to four high schools--Gardena, Eagle Rock, Sylmar and Washington.