LOS ANGELES, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles schools superintendent has outlined a plan to address the district's dropout rate to mixed reaction, amid political upheaval.
Superintendent Roy Romer unveiled his plans Tuesday, calling for $21 million to be directed to smaller classes and math intensive work, especially for at-risk kids.
He said he didn't know where the money would come from in the district's tight $7.1 billion budget.
The Los Angeles Times reports the district said a third of students don't graduate, but a study by UCLA professor Jeannie Oakes found a 50 percent dropout rate. She called Romer's plans to tackle the dropout rate misguided and disingenuous.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa praised the plan but said he will still try to take over control of the schools from the board of education.
