The fate of Alain LeRoy Locke College Preparatory Academy, a charter high school in Watts, hangs in the balance as the Los Angeles County Board of Education prepares to decide on its potential closure. The decision hinges on conflicting interpretations of the school's academic performance, with proponents arguing for its reform efforts and opponents citing chronic underperformance.
Locke High, operated by Green Dot Public Schools, was taken over by an outside group 17 years ago, marking a significant reform effort in Los Angeles by converting a low-performing high school into a privately governed charter school that continues to accept all neighborhood students. Despite improvements in test scores and a significant rise in the graduation rate from 43% to 72% since its conversion, county education staff recommend closure, arguing that the progress is insufficient when compared to state averages and other charter and district-operated schools.
Proponents, including Green Dot Public Schools and community supporters, contend that official evaluations overlook crucial data regarding academic growth. They argue that while state tests in English language arts and math may show lower proficiency rates, these metrics fail to capture the significant progress students make during their time at Locke. Green Dot highlights its own analysis of state testing data, which suggests substantial academic gains among students from their entry point in 8th grade to their 11th-grade assessments, outperforming broader district and state improvement rates in English language arts and math.
Evaluators, however, have largely dismissed or declined to examine Locke's internal growth data, emphasizing standardized 11th-grade test scores and science assessments. They also point to comparisons with statewide averages, other charter schools, and nearby district-operated schools. Experts suggest these comparisons may be inequitable due to Locke's higher proportions of English language learners, homeless students, students with disabilities, and those from low-income households, as well as a higher rate of transient students. Furthermore, unlike many other charter schools, Locke has an open-enrollment policy, accepting all students regardless of academic background.
The debate also touches upon the relevance of graduation rates. While Locke's graduation rate has improved, it remains lower than that of comparable district-run schools. However, supporters suggest that district schools may achieve higher rates by transferring struggling students to continuation schools, thereby removing their data from the original school's tallies—a practice Locke does not employ, aiming instead to support all its students within the institution.
