Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
High school students from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will earn coursework credit at Tuskegee, putting them closer to college degrees in education through a partnership now underway between LAUSD and Tuskegee faculty and staff. And the academic and professional development goes both ways. College of Education preservice teachers will gain access to real-world classroom experience in schools in the nation’s second largest school district serving more than 400,000 students.
“Tuskegee continues to embrace our Renaissance Era through fresh thinking around equipping the educators of tomorrow,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown, president and CEO. “Booker T. Washington’s vision for Tuskegee – an education of the hand, the heart and the head – began with attracting talented, dedicated teachers and we are translating that vision today through this partnership with LAUSD to create greater numbers of well-rounded, world-ready teachers to guide students into successful futures.”
Leading the effort is Dr. Brooke Burks, Dean of Tuskegee’s School of Education. Dr. Burks is looking forward to cultivating this partnership with LAUSD, especially because it highlights multiple pathways to an education and a wholistic approach to advancing social and economic mobility.
“Our talented students will benefit immensely from classroom experiences in LAUSD schools and will grow as educators through these opportunities to both teach and learn,” said Dr. Burks. “We are also excited about strengthening the pipeline of African American teachers in LAUSD through the teacher preparation program here at Tuskegee.”
Dr. Brown, recently met with Dr. Robert Whitman, Educational Transformation Officer for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and other LAUSD leaders to sign a formal Commitment to Partnership to solidify plans for increased engagement.
The LAUSD team is looking forward to deepening its relationship with Tuskegee.
“Tuskegee’s legacy of excellence has always been rooted in ensuring that students, regardless of background, have access to high-quality opportunities to succeed,” said Dr. Whitman. “LAUSD works from that same principle so this partnership is especially meaningful as we work together to equip future teachers with everything they will need to inspire students to their fullest potential.”
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