Students Gather to Protest School Inequalities and Lack of Access to College-Preparatory Courses

Huntington Park, CA - June 26, 2002. Students from surrounding Southeast Los Angeles high schools will be holding a demonstration in protest of LAUSD budget cuts directly affecting students and teachers this Thursday, June 27, 2002. The demonstration, which will take place at Huntington Park High School at 12:30 p.m., will bring to light the decisions of Local District J administrators that have resulted in the elimination of a quality education for students in the districts three high schools.

Huntington Park, CA - June 26, 2002. Students from surrounding Southeast Los Angeles high schools will be holding a demonstration in protest of LAUSD budget cuts directly affecting students and teachers this Thursday, June 27, 2002. The demonstration, which will take place at Huntington Park High School at 12:30 p.m., will bring to light the decisions of Local District J administrators that have resulted in the elimination of a quality education for students in the districts three high schools.

The decisions have included the elimination of Advanced Placement and honors courses, increased overcrowding of classrooms, and the termination of teachers at Huntington Park High School. These actions will not only worsen the conditions of our public high schools but will also restrict access to higher education for many students on the schools already disorganized year-round track.

Because of the current overcrowded conditions of LAUSD schools, students are forced into year-round tracks. B-track, LAUSDs most erratically scheduled track, is now facing more problems with the administrations actions. Daniela Ordoñez, a senior at Huntington Park High School, believes these actions will adversely affect B-track students. Our academic year starts July 1 and were in school on and off every two-to-four months. They say its to relieve overcrowding, but I have friends who have to stand in classrooms [because] there are not enough seats."

At South Gate High School, also in Local District J, nine teachers have been fired from every academic department. Worse yet, South Gates Second School Program, which provides students who are falling behind with tutoring from university students, has been stripped away of all funding. Why cant they take money from elective courses or sports?" asks José Martínez, a student at South Gate High School. The reality is that we are being treated unequally. [Local] District D in West [Los Angeles] has 12 high schools and only 57,000 students. We have three high schools and 60,000 students. Its obvious that were being treated unfairly. That is why were protesting."