EDUCATION WATCH : Little Grant, Big Signal

The U.S. government has allocated $270,000 to LEARN, the reform group that is working to improve Los Angeles public schools through an unlikely alliance of parents, teachers, administrators, politicians, business leaders, labor leaders, community leaders, religious leaders, social service representatives and university educators.

Perhaps more important than the money in this relatively small grant is Washington’s recognition of LEARN as a serious effort deserving of public support. In addition, the federal endorsement may pay off later when shares of the $500 million donated to public education last week by Walter H. Annenberg are allocated; LEARN certainly deserves to be considered for some of these funds.

The $270,000, a competitive federal grant, is earmarked to train parents, teachers and principals in the management skills they must have as responsibility shifts from the school district’s central office to individual campuses.

LEARN, which stands for Los Angeles Educational Alliance for Restructuring Now, faces a monumental challenge. Budget problems hamstring the L.A. Unified School District. Many of the students come from impoverished homes. English is a second language for many. Despite these obstacles, each youngster can learn. Indeed, most children must succeed in education if America itself is to succeed.

School reform is a long and sometimes painful process. It may prove less slow and less painful because of the federal grant, the right signal from the national government at the right time.