Diploma Project counselors work with students derailed by such issues as failed classes, behavior problems, poor attendance and failing the state exit exam, which is required for graduation. The advisors also help students who have left school to return or transfer elsewhere, as with 16-year-old Juan Troncoso.
Juan had been kicked out of three middle schools for tagging and failing classes, among other problems. After being involved in a student fight during his first semester at Wilson High in El Sereno, Juan said an administrator suggested that he might be safer at another school. "I never ended up going," Juan said.
Last week, Juan resumed his studies at a charter school that will allow him to work independently. He credits Nancy Chavez, Wilson's Diploma Project advisor, for helping him find school options.
While praising such success stories, Cortines characterized the district's overall counseling services as disjointed and wasteful, with various counselors reporting to different central-office administrators.
At Wilson High, for example, there are numerous counselors, including those for attendance, college and academics. Chavez said the group works well together, dividing up tasks and collaborating to help students.
Lack of resources
Several counselors argued that their real stumbling block is not poor organization, but lack of resources. This year, high school academic counselors had to handle as many as 500 students each; next year the number could increase to 650.
The success of the Diploma Project, and other related initiatives, is difficult to nail down because of inconclusive dropout statistics. The district's official graduation rate has increased slightly to 67.1%.
School principals will face hard choices in exchange for autonomy. All secondary schools, for example, will have one librarian, but a high school that wants more -- or an elementary school that wants anything -- would have to purchase library services at the expense of something else. Meanwhile, central library services will be reduced. Arts programs, for example, and other services also would compete for limited dollars -- although with the arts, the superintendent wants to redistribute resources more fairly to benefit underserved elementary schools, so there is some gain along with the pain.
"I'm dealing with a budget deficit over three years and five years. Not everybody will be saved, and," Cortines said, "everybody shouldn't be saved."
--
howard.blume@latimes.com
