"It gives a really powerful message that if you're not in school, we're going to your home," said Duardo, the dropout prevention director. "Most of the time, we find dropouts not working and not happy with life."
This year Jefferson qualified for $1.9 million in state funds for disadvantaged schools and plans to hire 10 teachers to reduce class sizes, plus a psychiatric social worker and more security.
There are signs of turnaround. Three years ago, 50 percent of 12th-graders passed the graduation exam, LAUSD's lowest rate. Last year, 73 percent passed.
It's a far cry from a half-century ago when Jefferson was renowned as an athletic powerhouse and graduated notables such as actress Dorothy Dandridge, jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ralph Bunche.
But for Flecha, the principal, who grew up in South Los Angeles the son of a housecleaner, it's a start.
"Education is truly an equalizer. I want our youngsters to have that opportunity," he said. "But it's one day at a time."
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
