College Enrollments

So much criticism has been directed at the Los Angeles Unified School that I think it important to publicly acknowledge a verified success.

According to a May 26 report by Roger Rasmussen of the district’s Independent Analysis Unit, the enrollment of LAUSD seniors at four-year California public colleges has steadily improved. Between 1986 and 1991 the percentage of seniors matriculating at Cal State or UC campuses increased from 18% to 20%.

Even more significant has been the increase in college-going rates for those ethnic groups that have historically been underrepresented on college campuses. During the six years of the study, college matriculation for the district’s black students increased from 12% to 19% while the rate for Hispanic students increased from 8% to 13%.

It should also be noted that LAUSD’s overall 1990-91 college attendance rates were higher than those for the state as a whole, with both black and Hispanic rates surpassing state percentages.

While we are pleased with the improvement, we are not complacent. High school teachers, counselors and administrators continue to work on strengthening the instructional program and to participate in activities designed to improve access and equity in college preparation. Such programs as college awareness nights and SAT preparation workshops, implemented in the last six years, have had a positive impact on the awareness of our diverse student populations.

We are well aware that further improvements can and must be made. But such improvements, as the college attendance rates attest, have already begun.

DAN ISAACS

LAUSD Assistant Superintendent