Lofty Goals for Schools Are Focus of Summit Talk : Education: A private foundation headed by John Van de Kamp launches a campaign to raise $1.5 million in support of the financially squeezed district.

PASADENA —  Concerned about dwindling government monies for public schools, the Pasadena Educational Foundation on Wednesday launched a drive to raise a projected $1.5 million for city schools and urged residents to attend an “Educational Summit” tonight to discuss how the system might be improved.

Former California Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp, a Pasadena resident and graduate of John Muir High School, agreed to head the fund-raising drive because of his concerns for community schools.

The drive marks a departure for the foundation, which has raised only about $15,000 annually since it was formed in 1970, foundation member Charles McKenney said.

The kickoff will be followed at 7 this evening by a districtwide summit to bring together school officials, civic leaders, parents and teachers for a two-hour “teleconference” on the future of the city’s beleaguered school system.

Vera J. Vignes, the new superintendent of the 21,756-student Pasadena Unified School District, will address audiences at 11 sites in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre via television hookups from the district’s Education Center.

The summit’s goal, Vignes said, is to “work on a common vision for our public schools. To define and achieve this goal, we must work together.”

“This is a vital part of building a greater city,” Mayor Rick Cole said in urging all Pasadena residents to get involved. “This important summit should begin a citywide dialogue on public education.”

Pasadena has many of the problems that plague large, urban school districts. Some schools are in poor areas where violent gangs are active. Typically, its students score around the 25th percentile on standardized tests. In the past two years, the district has been forced to cut $5 million from its budget, which averages around $70 million a year.

During tonight’s two-hour summit, Vignes will unveil a wide-ranging program to restructure schools as well as a series of goals in student achievement. She will then invite public discussion on the proposals, as well as solicit ideas from those in attendance.

District officials say they will evaluate the ideas and work to integrate them into the district’s agenda at a series of follow-up meetings. A second summit is planned for March to finalize the goals and objectives.

Proposals Vignes will outline tonight include:

Creating a new academic framework that will teach students to improve oral and written communication, think critically and solve problems.

Assessing students using portfolios and cooperative learning skills in addition to tests.

Allowing students in grades 11 and 12 to choose an organized program around a special focus that combines academic, applied academic and field experiences.

Decentralizing personnel and financial resources to encourage creativity and initiative at the individual school site level.

Establishing a districtwide restructuring committee, as well as committees at each school site that would include parents.

Improving links between secondary and elementary schools to better assess student needs.

Teaching students to be ethical, independent-minded citizens who possess skills to compete in the 21st-Century work force.

In addition, the district has set ambitious plans to improve academic test scores, dropout rates and the percentage of students who go on to college. Among those goals:

All students will graduate from high school.

At least 90% of all graduates will continue into post-secondary education, or training programs.

At least 40% of all graduates will qualify for admission to the University of California system.

At least 80% of the students entering community colleges will complete AA degrees, or continue in a four-year-college.

At least 80% of students will perform at or above state averages.

At least 70% of high school students will pass the Golden State Examinations for each subject area with a 70th percentile score or better. The exams are a standardized test.

School officials acknowledge that the goals are lofty, but they add that the district must be revitalized if it is to continue serving students.

Chuck Champlin, whose son, Alexander, 5, is a kindergartner at Don Benito School, echoed the sentiments of many parents this week.

“I think it’s so important to do this, to let the people know there’s new leadership and that the school district is committed to doing a good job,” said Champlin, who has volunteered at city schools for two years and is active in the civic group Community Coalition for Quality Public Schools.

“The community has got to take some responsibility for the schools,” he said. “On Thursday, people will have a chance to vent their frustration and to say what they want to see done.”

For more information, call Ellen House in the superintendent’s office at 795-6981, Ext. 202.