A coalition of Latino education and health organizations have joined together in support of Assembly Bill 2160, legislation that would give teachers a stronger voice in the decisions that impact their students' learning.
Casa Nicaragua And Employment Project for Central Americans, the Salvadoran-American Leadership and Educational Fund, Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero, and Hermandad Los Angeles Economic and Community Development Corporation.
"The Latino Community suffers disproportionately from underperforming schools," said HLAECDC Executive Director Angelina Casillas-Corona. "AB 2160 will help alleviate that problem by allowing teachers the opportunity to be part of the decision making process."
SALEF Executive Director Carlos Antonio H. Vaquerano concurred. "We need AB 2160 now. Working together, local teachers, administrators, and parents can ensure that our children have a real chance to succeed academically."
Casa Nicaragua president Julio C. Cardoza added, "Teachers especially need to be part of the critical decisions made around the selection of teachers and curriculum."
AB 2160 was recently amended, striking a provision that would involve collective bargaining in the decision making process. The amended bill creates "Academic Partnerships" that will involve local teacher representatives as well as representatives of the local governing board.
AB 2160 could be voted on in the Assembly as early as today.