Release: #03-65
October 30, 2003
October 30, 2003
State Schools Chief O'Connell Names
Academic Dean to CAPP Advisory Committee
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced today the appointment of Lawton Alexander Gray III of Pasadena to the California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) Advisory Committee.
"Mr. Gray will make a superb addition to this important committee," said O'Connell. "His dedication to students, teaching, and community service, are all assets that will help improve the quality of education in California."
CAPP, established by the California Legislature in 1984, is a partnership between higher education institutions and public schools in the state. CAPP awards grants to partnerships between schools, higher education institutions, and business entities to improve academic programs so that more students are prepared for college. The CAPP Advisory Committee is made up of 12 appointed members who represent California's educational segments. Gray qualifies for the appointment as a secondary school teacher.
Gray is currently an academic dean at Temple City High School. He has worked for the past seven years as a mathematics instructor at Pasadena High School and Pasadena City College. Before that, he worked as a technical intern for four years with Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Gray has won numerous awards including a grant from CAPP, Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year, Most Inspirational Teacher, and Disney's Teacher Recognition. He also serves as a tennis, baseball, and softball coach. His other extracurricular activities include volunteering as a black student union advisor, teacher mentor, Parent Teacher Student Association member, and a tutor at church.
"I'm very honored to take this position on the CAPP Advisory Committee," said Gray. "I hope to continue the great work that has been done by CAPP in the past."
Since its inception, more than 100 partnerships involving approximately 170 institutions and 3,000 higher education facilities receiving CAPP support have improved the quality and effectiveness of K-12 instruction. More than 200,000 K-12 students are beneficiaries of curriculum and teaching strategies developed in CAPP-supported partnerships. More of these students are enrolled in college preparatory classes compared to students statewide. Their performance on standardized tests has increased over the course of CAPP funding. The activities of the CAPP partnerships also have played an important role in the reduction of dropout rates for these students, and positively impacted attitudes and self-esteem regarding higher education. For more information, please visit http://www.calstate.edu/capp/ (Outside Source).
"Mr. Gray will make a superb addition to this important committee," said O'Connell. "His dedication to students, teaching, and community service, are all assets that will help improve the quality of education in California."
CAPP, established by the California Legislature in 1984, is a partnership between higher education institutions and public schools in the state. CAPP awards grants to partnerships between schools, higher education institutions, and business entities to improve academic programs so that more students are prepared for college. The CAPP Advisory Committee is made up of 12 appointed members who represent California's educational segments. Gray qualifies for the appointment as a secondary school teacher.
Gray is currently an academic dean at Temple City High School. He has worked for the past seven years as a mathematics instructor at Pasadena High School and Pasadena City College. Before that, he worked as a technical intern for four years with Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Gray has won numerous awards including a grant from CAPP, Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year, Most Inspirational Teacher, and Disney's Teacher Recognition. He also serves as a tennis, baseball, and softball coach. His other extracurricular activities include volunteering as a black student union advisor, teacher mentor, Parent Teacher Student Association member, and a tutor at church.
"I'm very honored to take this position on the CAPP Advisory Committee," said Gray. "I hope to continue the great work that has been done by CAPP in the past."
Since its inception, more than 100 partnerships involving approximately 170 institutions and 3,000 higher education facilities receiving CAPP support have improved the quality and effectiveness of K-12 instruction. More than 200,000 K-12 students are beneficiaries of curriculum and teaching strategies developed in CAPP-supported partnerships. More of these students are enrolled in college preparatory classes compared to students statewide. Their performance on standardized tests has increased over the course of CAPP funding. The activities of the CAPP partnerships also have played an important role in the reduction of dropout rates for these students, and positively impacted attitudes and self-esteem regarding higher education. For more information, please visit http://www.calstate.edu/capp/ (Outside Source).
