Education is a Priority in Compton

Education is a Priority in Compton

The basis of Compton's leadership includes education as a priority and there is a healthy connection between its educational institutions and the public officials

By Francis Taylor
Sentinel Contributing Writer

The Compton Education Foundation (CEF) is a non-profit corporation that works in conjunction with CUSD to raise funds for Compton public schools which serves approximately 28,000 students. It was established in 2003 in order to complement official school funding and to prevent any re-occurrence of the financial crisis that plagued the school district in the past.

According the website, its mission is: CEF supports learning opportunities for youth in Compton through educational enhancements that strengthen local creativity, wellness, and academic excellence. CEF envisions Compton as a cultural Mecca and supports programs and services in three core areas: visual and performing arts, athletics and wellness, and advanced learning. Efforts of the CEF help achieve a broader mandate for educational access, equity, and excellence.

And its focus is: The CUSD Education Foundation will continue to focus on restoring the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) in the schools along with supporting programs and services in athletics, wellness, and advanced learning.

Having the above outlined mission and focus, there seems to be concerted effort of those involved to erase Compton's past and prepare its students for the 21st century.

The chairperson is Lanette White, a graduate of Biola University and California State University; Tami Foy is the secretary/treasurer who is the grants manger of CUSD and executive director of CEF; and Jaffe D. Dickerson is the legal counsel who specializes in labor and employment law.

The team has managed to keep the CEF relevant to the principles of its mission and to focus their efforts and energy on providing adequate funding for the CUSD, a monumental task.

As a part of its efforts to stay relevant and be in touch with the student, CEF has held events in which some of the school bands participate and it has also attracted celebrities to boost its cause and solidify its mission and focus, including academy award winner, Louis Gossett, Jr.

In the past, White has said, "Our goal is to really put some emphasis on the performing arts."

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