Image via C-SPAN video feed
3:45pm | Chris Steinhauser, Superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor this morning and outlined some of the district’s accomplishments, also asking for help with spending flexibility.
Steinhauser was asked to attend and provide advice to some of the nation’s educational leaders, who are seeking new ways to encourage schools to achieve, particularly in urban or under-performing areas.
“In Long Beach, students speak 38 languages, and 70 percent of our children receive federally subsidized meals, yet students from all walks of life – from the inner city to the suburbs – are making academic gains because of our persistent focus on data-driven instruction and training,” Steinhauser said.
He said that among the district’s achievements are the ability for students and their parents to choose the school they will attend, the end of social promotion, and several leadership and accelerated learning programs. Long Beach has been widely recognized as one of the nation’s best large, urban school districts.
In the midst of massive budget cuts handed down from the state – which are partially responsible for layoffs that are possibly facing hundreds of LBUSD teachers – Steinhauser also asked for support in passing SB 1396, a California State Senate bill that may give school districts more flexibility in their spending of certain funds.
Steinhauser also voiced support for President Obama’s education plan.
“We endorse the ESEA blueprint unveiled recently by President Obama. The blueprint would reward academic growth and innovation instead of simply sending more money to troubled school districts,” Steinhauser said. “We welcome the president’s emphasis on competitive grants. Competition drives reform by recognizing and rewarding success.”
Click here to read the text of the entire five-minute speech.