On March 22, 2023, LACOE’s philanthropic partner, the Greater Los Angeles (GLA) Education Foundation hosted their launch event, “Celebrating A Greater LA: Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation Celebratory Luncheon” three years after their inception due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As an independent non-profit organization, GLA serves LACOE and the 80 dsitricts and charter schools to support regional agenda and mission to advance equity and innovation in education across LA County. By fostering system-level innoncation, building cross-sector partnerships and encouraging creative problem-solving, GLA tackles some of LA County's greatest educational challenges.

Led by Kerry Franco, President of GLA and Chief Deputy of Innovation and Partnerships for LACOE, the foundation prioritizes the following four key strategies to have the greatest impact in supporting educational systems in preparing LA County students for success in college, career and beyond:    

• Strengthen and/or Develop Partnerships    
• Convene and Network Districts    
• Collect, Analyze and Make Learning from Data Accessible    
• Advocate and Offer Culturally and Contextually Relevant Policy Solutions   

The event highlighted the GLA Foundation’s work since its inauguration in 2019 which includes: 

• $10 million in contributions to our school districts 
• $4 million in technology, basic needs relief and district investments to support pandemic recovery 
• $20 million to open after school teen Tech Centers
• $3 million investment to support LACOE’s Community Schools Initiative 

The event also showcased GLA’s newest comprehensive report, “Community, Culture, Voice: Supporting Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners in Los Angeles County” which is its latest research into what school systems and educators are doing to help multilingual learners all over LA County build the agency, confidence, and perspective needed for success. Attendees heard from a distinguished panel of experts on the importance of considering social and emotional learning for LA County’s multilingual learners and key recommendations such as investing in the teaching and learning of asset-based pedagogy and the need to diversify the educator workforce.

The celebration also recognized the inspirational leadership of Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo. It was Dr. Duardo who envisioned the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation to support the critical need to solve the region’s pressing educational equity challenges with a platform to facilitate strategic partnerships and innovation. As part of the event, GLA was proud to premiere a video that shares Dr. Duardo’s incredible story. The video was created to share with our Los Angeles County youth and families who may see themselves in her story and be inspired by her ability to move past many of the challenges she faced to become superintendent of the nation’s largest regional education agency. After the screening, the GLA Foundation Board of Directors President, Dr. Monte Perez, announced a new scholarship fund in honor of Dr. Duardo’s impactful career and dedication to the students of LA County.

“I wholeheartedly believe that one of the best ways we can support our most vulnerable youth is through philanthropic partnerships. The Greater LA Foundation has supported our students through the COVID-19 pandemic and is now working on exciting initiatives to reduce educational inequities for all students,” said the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo. “I am proud to be part of the work that will positively impact LA County students for years to come.” 

“The GLA launch was a wonderful moment for our organization to celebrate leaders, educators, partners, and staff who work tirelessly to support our children, families, and communities in LA County. We are proud of the work that has been accomplished over the last three years and thrilled to build on this success,” said GLA President Kerry Franco. “We are looking ahead and ready to take our place as LA County’s regional education foundation.”

To learn about the GLA Foundation please visit www.greaterlaedfund.org. 

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The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is the nation's largest regional education agency. LACOE supports and protects the education and well-being of LA County's nearly two million children through an equity lens. For more information, visit www.lacoe.edu.