[dd74]

Jim - what you explain is so pervasive in L.A. Unified, that the parents have literally taken over the schools. This is actually a very good thing, as the schools with parental influence usually rise above the others with less to no parental involvement. Now, local businesses have begun to sponsor schools in our neighborhood. These same schools also have highly-gifted programs which send kids to top-notch universities, including Ivy League schools. In short, influence outside of the school board from parents and local business, seems to make all the difference in L.A. schools.