BALDWIN PARK – Baldwin Park Unified will expand college-readiness efforts and train a new cohort of teachers in the use of classroom technology to personalize learning, promote critical thinking and enhance collaboration in 2018-19.

In addition, the District will continue to develop and support exemplary 21st century classrooms, infusing blended learning and multilingual environments.

The plans are part of the District’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), adopted June 26 by the Board of Education. The LCAP, which lays out the District’s educational priorities over a three-year period, will go to the Los Angeles County Office of Education for review.

The plan was developed in consultation with parents, teachers, staff, students and community stakeholders. As part of the preparation, Baldwin Park Unified conducted a survey of parents that drew more than 1,300 responses – four times its previous response rate – and shows overwhelming support for the District’s mission.

“Baldwin Park Unified is focused on a multi-year effort to offer an enriching array of educational paths to our students, emphasizing high achievement for all learners,” Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza said.

That multi-year effort will see the District continue to provide expanded academic opportunities in 2018-19 in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, career technical education and intensive coaching for English language learners.

Over the last two years, the District achieved success with its programs, posting a graduation rate of 94.5 percent and reducing chronic absenteeism to 7.8 percent. The District has crafted special intervention efforts to assist English language learners and students with disabilities, who face continuing challenges.

Support programs include a CSU readiness program that allows seniors to take college-level basic skills classes in math and English language arts to get a jump on placements after high school.

Baldwin Park Unified also offers Advancement Via Individual Determination, a college-preparation program at the secondary school levels and No Excuses University programs in four elementary schools.

Other programs include:

  • Expansion of a free PSAT program to include eighth- and 11th-graders;
  • Addition of a mental health career pathway at each high school;
  • A three-year plan to reach a one-to-one device-to-student ratio for all students in third through 12th grades;
  • Training of 16 more teacher mentors of classroom technology integration, on top of 32 already trained;
  • Continuation of Summer Think enrichment for elementary and middle school students;
  • Continued implementation of English language development curriculum, intervention and extended learning opportunities, in addition to the District’s award-winning Dual
  • Language program.

“We are working to ensure that all students have the support they need to succeed at Baldwin Park Unified,” Mendoza said.