More than half of Los Angeles Unified School District’s students fail to finish high school.
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Throughout California, fewer than half of public school students are proficient in English language arts or math from the fifth through the eleventh grade. Fewer than 40% of Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) students are “proficient” in English language arts and 50% or fewer are proficient in math—in all grades tested. Last year’s sixth-grade classes saw math achievement levels decline over the two previous years. Smaller percentages of students reach the proficient level in math as they move up to the next grade.

For example, the number of LAUSD students proficient in their math scores dropped below 30% among sixth-graders and was only 6% among ninth- through eleventh-graders. The need in Los Angeles County, as in many large cities, for improved academic performance is undeniably great. And throughout the state, the wide gap between racial and ethnic groups remains, with more than 50% of Asian and white students at or above proficiency and fewer than 30% of Latinos and African Americans receiving proficient scores.

To combat this trend and ensure a better quality of life for these children and future generations, Century/Learning Initiatives For Today^® (Century/LIFT^®) provides tutoring for more than 300 students living primarily in Century-financed affordable housing developments and/or attending the Century Community Charter School. This after-school tutorial program works to improve academic achievement of students in first through twelfth grade at 9 sites throughout the Los Angeles area. Students work on their homework, receive individualized tutoring in verbal and math skills, and acquire computer skills—usually just doors away from home, thereby eliminating transportation problems and giving parents a sense of security and involvement.

The results are proven. A 2004 study by the UCLA/Rand Center for Adolescent Health Promotion showed that returning Century/LIFT students scored 7.75 points higher on English standardized tests and 31.75 points higher on math tests when compared to the average scores of students in the same school but not enrolled in the program.

Parental involvement is a key component of the Century/LIFT program, with parents attending workshops and volunteering for program activities. This involvement, in addition to the tutoring itself, creates a better sense of community in each Century/LIFT apartment complex or development. Vandalism, for example, is dramatically reduced.

Tutors are recruited from local school districts, colleges, and the community—some are even Century/LIFT graduates. Tutors are paid and trained to encourage a sense of permanence and quality.

There are two Century/LIFT sites that work with students transitioning from homelessness. The sites in the Westwood Transitional Village and at the Century Villages at Cabrillo enable the students living there to focus on their academic skills, while their social, housing, and nutritional needs are met at these transitional housing sites.

The University of Southern California and Pitzer College continue as Century’s partners in ensuring the program’s success.

With continued support from More Than Shelter, enrollment continues to climb and more sites are being developed, with a goal of serving 5,000 students annually by 2014.

One of the primary goals of the Century/LIFT program is to assist students in reaching the goal of a college degree. Participating students who complete the program and who qualify are eligible for four-year, tuition-free scholarships to the University of Southern California and Pitzer College, part of the Claremont Colleges in Claremont, California.

If you are interested in becoming a Century/LIFT tutor, in bringing Century/LIFT into your classroom or residential space, or if you are interested in donating educational supplies or providing funding for Century/LIFT activities, please contact Shu Farmer, Program Director, at (310) 642-2027 or e-mail sfarmer (at) centuryhousing.org.

For more information on how you can support these efforts, please contact Kim Ferraro at (310)642-2072 or e-mail kferraro (at) centuryhousing.org.