To engage local parents, educators and students in the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) process, Temecula Valley Educators Association (TVEA) has taken a leadership role in the process by hosting a community forum for parents and educators in Temecula Unified School District’s Margarita Middle School on Tuesday, December 6.

TVEA presented a slide show providing information on LCAP at the statewide and local level and then attendees broke into three groups reflective of the current state and local priorities under LCAP:  College and Career Readiness, English Language Learners, and Parent Engagement. Attendees also visited tables staffed by TVUSD LCAP Specialists in such areas as Elementary Physical Education and Performing Arts, Secondary Math Specialists, and Intervention Specialists. Local stakeholders participated in informational sessions and breakout discussion groups about the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) process. An LCAP should be arrived at through public meeting and consideration of how to best meet the needs of English Language Learners, Foster Youth, and students on Free and Reduced Lunch. Each school district must solicit official feedback from stakeholder groups about what are the most effective use of resources to meet the needs of these local students as a part of the LCAP approval process.

Local stakeholders participated in informational and breakout discussion groups about the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) process. Attendees were reminded that an LCAP should be arrived at through public meeting and consideration of how to best meet the needs of English Language Learners, Foster Youth, and students on Free and Reduced Lunch. Each school district must solicit official feedback from stakeholder groups about what is the most effective use of resources to meet the needs of these local students. It’s considered a vital part of the LCAP approval process.

Approximately fifty people attended the forum.  Parents, Students, TVEA personnel and specialists who provide LCAP services in the Temecula Valley Unified School District were all represented.  Special guest Temecula City Council elect James “Stew” Stewart addressed the audience about expanding programs for non-college bound students.

TVEA utilized California Teachers Association’s (CTA’s) Advocacy Agenda in developing the program and focused on several key areas;

A Well-Rounded Education;

TVEA had more than a dozen LCAP Specialist members who provide services to students such as PE Instruction, Visual and Performing Arts Instruction, Literacy and Mathematics Intervention on hand to meet with parents and community stakeholders.

Teaching All Students;

One of the breakout discussion groups focused on instructional needs for English  Language Learners.  These students and their families are seeking equity and opportunity to gain the skills needed for school success.

Family and Community Engagement;

Students were welcome and eight to ten attended the forum.  Complimentary Pizza was served to families before the forum commenced,  Our own members participated side by side with parents in breakout sessions and discussion groups.

TVEA President Jeff Kingsberg explained his chapter’s commitment to the process in this way; “It is our duty as the closest link to students and parents in the public education system to engage them in the discussion of local community needs and priorities. I’m pleased our members are engaged in steps to put the “local” into our district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan.”

Due to its appeal, TVEA is considering a follow-up session this spring and will continue to seek community involvement in providing feedback for how to best utilize these local funds.