ROMER PRESSING LAUSD PRIORITY LIST BETTER READING, MATH SKILLS AMONG TOP GOALS.

Byline: Erik N. Nelson Staff Writer

Improving literacy, math skills, teacher training and classroom space top the list of priorities for Los Angeles schools chief Roy Romer, and he's been touting his priorities to all who will listen.

But it isn't easy getting parents, teachers and even school board members to decide what's best for the district, let alone agree with the vision of the ex-Colorado governor-turned superintendent.

``Reading, writing and math - if we don't get those skills, we're never going to make it,'' Romer said. ``You can talk about all kinds of things on the edge, but if you don't change practices in the classroom, you're not going to get it done.''

Recently, Romer spoke to a group of San Fernando Valley business and civic leaders and left some with a decidedly sour impression of his priorities.

Barbara Perkins, whose daughter attends a performing arts magnet school in Pacoima that has been burglarized, said she told Romer that health and safety should be a top priority. What she doesn't want is a reassuring phone call followed by inaction.

``Don't call my school. That's a Band-Aid approach. Don't call and say my bathrooms are horrible,'' said Perkins, who is president of the Valley Leadership Institute. ``Deal with the global issue. I was hoping for something similar to that. Instead, what I got was a very angry Mr. Romer, who thought he was being attacked.''

Romer said concerns about safety and health are a priority - just not at the core of what the district needs to improve.

``Safety is a precondition. You don't ever want to put children in a school that's not safe,'' said Romer, who added that the district is increasing its budget for janitorial services by $5.7 million.

Under his five-year strategic plan, reading and writing skills top the list of priorities followed by mathematics, professional development and the need for more classroom space.

A second set of goals calls for greater support of non-English speakers, better special education, enhanced staff recruitment and retention.

``Here is the key to what we are doing: focusing on the core instruction,'' Romer said. ``We have to improve the practice in the classrooms and improve the curriculum. This is our mantra: instruction, instruction, instruction.''

While some parents and civic leaders disagree with his priorities, they applaud Romer's efforts to establish concrete goals. Bruce Ackerman, president of the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, said such a plan is long overdue, and it shows the district is working to overcome years of disarray.

``I think he's very much on-target,'' Ackerman said. ``I think people can quarrel with the priorities he's assigned,'' but ``if we were looking at it from a business perspective, it would be something that he would get good grades on.''

Kathryn Steinberg, president of the 31st District PTSA, had high praise for Romer's plan, but wondered how it would be carried out.

``It's thoughtful and it has a lot of breadth,'' she said. ``This has more business overtones than I think I've seen before, (which could) encourage partnerships with the private sector, particularly with the facilities issue.''

While past superintendents have outlined districtwide goals, school board president Genethia Hayes said she could not remember the district's priorities codified in the manner Romer and the board are now doing.

``On balance, I think it was an excellent first attempt at something I think people have been asking superintendents to do almost since I've been watching,'' Hayes said.

Romer is tentatively scheduled to present a revised plan to the full board July 24 for approval, said board member Caprice Young, who oversees the budget committee. In September, the board plans to review the plan in conjunction with its deliberations on the district's five-year financial plan, ``so that we have money attached to the goals and objectives.''

HIGHEST PRIORITIES

Under a five-year strategic plan, Superintendent Roy Romer has identified a set of priorities to improve student learning in the Los Angeles Unified School District. To reach that goal, the district's highest priorities are:

1. Improved student reading and writing skills across all grade levels

2. Improved student skills and understanding in mathematics across all grade levels.

3. Focused professional development as the key to improving classroom practices.

4. Adequate classroom space.

--Additional important keys to the district's success are:

5. Appropriate support for English language learners and standard English language learners.

6. Enhanced delivery and effectiveness of special education services.

7. Enhanced recruitment and retention of qualified staff.

8. Increased used of technology in the classroom and more effective use of technology for instructional support.

9. Increased efficiency in the use of resources.

10. Improved early childhood education as a foundation for success.

11. Expanded magnet and academy programs.

12. Expanded and enhanced after-school programs.

13. Involved parents and communities.

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Box: HIGHEST PRIORITIES (see text)