SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced that he is returning full local control to the Compton Unified School District.

In 1993, Compton became the nation's first school district placed under state receivership for both academic and financial bankruptcy. At the time, the state loaned Compton Unified $20 million and appointed a state administrator. The administrator was charged with returning the district to solvency both financially and academically in the classroom.

"Since the state first became involved in 1993, Compton Unified has put its fiscal house in order and, most importantly, is well on its way to turning the district schools around when it comes to academics," stated O'Connell. "After having just spent an impressive day touring Compton schools, meeting with staff and discussing the issue with our trustee, I became convinced that the time is right to return full local control to the district."

Compton Unified is made up of 32,000 students attending 39 schools. The students are 100% urban minority students with more than a 97% AFDC poverty level.

Since the state takeover of Compton, school facilities have improved, the district's first new school in 30 years was built, the school environment became safer, test scores increased dramatically and the district has rid itself of debt:

• School facilities are well maintained and almost all school sites are operating at an "A" or "B" rating, as determined by an independent rating agency.
• Campuses have seen a 66 percent reduction in property crime alone.
• In 2002, 84 percent of the schools in Compton Unified improved on their Academic Performance Index (API) and 62 percent met their API growth target. The average class size has decreased by 12 percent since 1998 and the student to CD ROM computer ratio has increased by 95 percent. The percentage of African American males graduating from Compton high schools today with the required courses for acceptance to UC/CSU is above the state average.
• According to an ACLU report, "Test scores in Language, Reading and Math for our elementary and middle schoolchildren ... are up 200 percent since 1998."
• In June 2001, just eight years after receiving its bankruptcy loan, Compton completely paid off its debt to the state.

"I am proud of the work we have been able to accomplish in Compton," stated Dr. Randolph E. Ward, state trustee. "The district has made great strides and I am confident that with the dedicated and hardworking school employees, Superintendent, and Board, the schools will continue on the right path."