Lawrence Public Schools I. Introduction A. Background Students attending the Lawrence Public Schools need and deserve excellent-quality, responsive educational programs that encourage and support each student to realize his or her academic potential.
Many Lawrence students face multiple obstacles to achieving success in school.
They routinely encounter barriers to learning and performance that are the result of economic disadvantage, limited English proficiency, cultural dislocation, parents' lack of education, and disrupted school attendance. Lawrence students, like their counterparts in other high poverty urban districts, need to be challenged and supported by their teachers and school administrators so that they may overcome those barriers and experience academic success. The consequences of failing to provide high-quality, effective instructional programs and services to students who have limited access to educational resources, experiences, and supports outside of their school are particularly grave. At present, extremely high percentages of students in all of the District's schools are functioning significantly below their grade level in English Language Arts and mathematics. As they progress through the elementary and secondary grades, many students are not acquiring the foundation knowledge and skills in English Language Arts and mathematics that would afford them access to higher education and a range of employment opportunities.