Burbank Principal to Speak at Neighborhood Council

The first time Principal Arturo Valdez spoke to the in May, 2011, he was just finishing his first year on the job and facing some though questions from the community. 

Valdez was asked to address the lagging academic achievement of the schools students, an impending LAUSD-mandated reconstitution of its staff and concerns about truancy and parent bullying.

And while Luther Burbank is still far from a perfect school, Valdez will have some success stories to share when he returns to speak at the Thursday, Sept. 20 meeting of the HHPNC.

Now entering his third year on the job at Luther Burbank, Valdez will be able to tout almost across-the board improvements on last year's California Standards Test. 

In English-Language Arts, 50-percent of students in the eighth grade scored in the advanced or proficient range in 2012, compared to 38-percent in 2011. Scores were up from 38-percent to 58-percent in the seventh grade and 55-percent to 60-percent in the sixth grade.

In Math, 44-percent of seventh grade students scored advanced or proficient in 2012, compared to 35-percent in 2011. Scores were down for sixth graders though, dropping from 72-percent to 68-percent.

In May of 2012, the school was also recognized by LAUSD for exceeding Superintendent John Deasy's attendance goals.

"Their recent success is a big deal," said HHPNC member Janet Dodson. "He's doing a wonderful job and we're delighted to have him.

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