Recent LA Unified School District student test scores indicate students have shown improvement at every grade level — and in nearly every demographic.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho shared with “Inside the Issues” host Amrit Singh how LA outperformed the state in both reading and math scores and is outpacing the state in the growth of students taking AP exams.

“We decided to pay for the examinations for every single student. Therefore, we saw a significant increase in the number of students taking AP. This is college level course work in high school. And the number of students getting a 3, 4, or 5, which grants them college credit, improved significantly at a faster rate than the state of California and the nation,” he said.

Graduation rates are also at an all-time high, increasing 3% in the 2023-24 school year to 87%.

Carvalho also discussed the recent controversial decision by LAUSD to launch a districtwide cellphone ban starting in February 2025. Some schools have already started implementing the ban and have seen an improvement in student achievement, mental health and social development.

Carvalho said he understands parents are nervous and kids are having real concerns about separating themselves from the almighty cellphone.

“Just this morning I was in a couple schools, and I saw kids using the pouches that lock the phones during the regular school day and I asked them, how’s it going? And this young lady actually told me, ‘Initially, I was concerned. But now, I can concentrate more. I am not distracted. I feel that I am being more engaging with my colleagues and the teachers.’”  

For those that are concerned about emergency situations, he says, the policy includes guidance that specifically addresses students’ rights to access the phone if there is a crisis.

With an incoming administration in the new year that is focused on mass deportations, Carvalho expressed that LAUSD is reconfirming their position of protecting immigrant and LGBTQ+ students, families and employees by declaring Los Angeles a sanctuary district.

“We have currently 325 DACA recipients, individuals who are here under temporary protected status. They are our workforce, they are our brothers and sisters, we’re going to protect them. Secondly, I want to be absolutely certain that parents, our community hears me. Under the constitution, under the equal protection clause, every single student regardless of immigration status is allowed a free, public education in this land… So parents, please don’t keep your kids home, send them to school. The schools are the safest places.”

Carvalho, who admits he was an undocumented immigrant in this country at the age of 17, said as the Superintendent, he will pay it forward by advocating for those who are in the same position he was 45 years ago.

To hear Superintendent Carvalho’s entire interview, click the arrow above.