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Richard Wexler | 02/16/2012

It’s hard to imagine an elementary school where the challenges would be greater: 1,500 students in one building, almost all of them from impoverished families. Parents working two, sometimes three jobs, with little time to be involved in school activities. Many don’t speak English, some are illegal immigrants, afraid to speak up or challenge any authority. Nevertheless, according to the Los Angeles Times: The school was on the upswing. Test scores were rising. The campus south of downtown Los Angeles was bright with new paint, murals and $6 million in other improvements. A new principal brought in parent education workshops, student leadership programs...