In the past several years, the efforts of a community organizing group, a dedicated group of teachers, an array of community partners, the students, and the parents converged to demand change in East LA-- and to make it a reality.

Will we choose to ensure our children get the education they deserve and invest in California's economic future? Or will we retreat from our commitment to each other and allow the worst cuts to education that our state has ever seen?

California's economy continues to struggle to the extent that some teachers have been warned that they face an unprecedented 20 furlough days later this year.

I recently heard a story that explains why the community schools model -- a reform approach I've been touting for about twenty years now -- is so effective at helping children succeed in the classroom.