SCANTRON AND THE LOS ANGELES EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP have teamed up to improve public education in Southern California. Through a special arrangement with Scantron, LAEP is pleased to offer those who visit the LA Learning Exchange a direct link to the Scantron products catalog Web site.

Each time someone visits the Scantron site via the Learning Exchange and makes a purchase, a portion of that purchase will directly support LAEP’s efforts to improve public education in Southern California. Visitors can link to the Scantron site by clicking "Store," located in the upper left hand corner of the Learning Exchange.

The proceeds which come to LAEP as the result of its relationship with Scantron will directly support improvement in public education. LAEP's mission is to transform public schools in the Los Angeles region into learning communities where all students receive an effective, high-quality education.

LAEP divides its work to improve teaching and learning into three areas:

• Classroom Initiatives which are focused on the work of teachers and include individual programs to improve mathematics, science and humanities education; career academies to prepare students for the transition from school to work; teacher networks promoting teacher classroom skills, content knowledge and leadership; and affordable access to the Internet and advanced instructional technology training.

• School Change Initiatives which seek significant improvement in the organization, management and governance of schools including comprehensive support and training for large urban schools engaged in the process of change.

• Community Initiatives which seek to overcome barriers to student learning by building stronger links between communities and their schools including new strategies to increase access to health, social and community services, and to assist schools in achieving greater parental and community involvement in support of improved education.