[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING THE LUTHER BURBANK SCHOOL DISTRICT ON ITS 100TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2006

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate 
the Luther Burbank School District in San Jose, California on its 100th 
anniversary.
  Luther Burbank School District's noble mission is to educate students 
from kindergarten to eighth grade. Although diversity is welcomed, 
significant challenges confront this public school system. In the 2003-
2004 school year 85 percent of the students were Hispanic, 5 percent 
Black and 7 percent White. Of all the District's students, 78 percent 
participated in the National School Lunch Program and 64 percent of the 
students were English Language Learners. Despite the challenges to 
comprehensive multicultural and multilingual education, Luther Burbank 
School District has met the challenges of racial, ethnic and religious 
diversity within the public school system.
  Over the past 5 years, Luther Burbank School District has increased 
its California Academic Performance Index by over 200 points, thereby 
exceeding the state average. As the test scores and the school 
district's rankings have risen, so has the recognition that Luther 
Burbank School District has received. The school district is now a 
school of choice in San Jose, California.
  Luther Burbank School District is a center of activity and growth in 
the community. Local residents are continuously invited and involved in 
many aspects of the school district. Luther Burbank School District 
welcomes parent and community involvement in the education and 
activities of the school and English as a Second Language classes are 
provided to the community during the evening hours to more closely 
connect the residents of this culturally diverse neighborhood.
  The school district utilizes innovative teaching methods that include 
technology in the classroom and current instructional materials. The 
school district focuses on the academic growth of their students so 
that they may make positive contributions to their community and to 
society.
  I am hopeful that the innovative and exemplary model portrayed by the 
Luther Burbank School District remains in my congressional district and 
spreads to many other lucky neighborhoods in the coming years.

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