Trying to make Lincoln better

Re “We stood up, and it was important,” Opinion, March 8

It is inspiring to read about Luis Torres’ experience 40 years ago on March 8, 1968, when students and teachers courageously walked out of classrooms to protest educational inequities and demand a more challenging, culturally responsive curriculum. Sadly, the dropout rate at Lincoln High is still about 45%. To address this dire situation, Lincoln teachers and students are again engaged in reform against great odds. Through the valiant efforts of many members of the Lincoln community, we have converted Lincoln into five career-themed small learning communities that promise to personalize instruction and help students feel more connected to their school.

We are making plans to implement a creative block schedule that will provide credit recovery opportunities and career-themed electives for students and much-needed collaboration time for teachers. This school reform effort honors the legacy of the walkouts, and I hope it will help Lincoln finally realize the changes fought for so valiantly 40 years ago.

Debra Coaloa

Improvement Facilitator

Lincoln High School

Los Angeles