Santa Ana Unified superintendent lays out three student-outcome priorities, presents literacy and reclassification data

Dr. Lorraine Pérez, superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District, told the Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday that her first 90 days in office focused on conversations with school leaders, families and community stakeholders and that the district will emphasize three measurable priorities: third-grade reading at grade level, reclassification of English learners to English proficiency by fifth grade and college-and-career readiness.

Pérez said those priorities form the district’s “profile of a graduate” and will guide three-year plans and school-level implementation. “Mi esperanza, mi deseo, es que todos en la comunidad conozcan estas metas,” she told the council, adding she intends to report public progress and to return to the council for updates.

The superintendent presented recent district data to illustrate current performance. Pérez said 25% of third graders met or exceeded the state standard on one annual assessment (CAASPP) in 2024–25, while nearer-term reading checks show about 56% at or above grade level on a different measure. She reported an English-learner reclassification rate of about 8.08% for 2024–25 and noted the district has a rising number of recently arrived students, which affects year-to-year rates. On college-and-career readiness, Pérez said roughly 38.8% of the cohort met the state indicator of preparedness and that among students who enroll at four-year universities, about 70% were formerly English learners who had been reclassified.

Pérez said the district is using multiple measures — classroom checks, interim assessments and annual state tests — and will post a schedule of presentations and more granular data, including Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) engagement sessions. She asked the city, families and community organizations to partner on the work and said the district will return to the board and to the council with updates and next steps.

Council members thanked Pérez for the presentation and the focus on literacy. Vice Mayor Vázquez and Councilmember Peñaloza praised the emphasis on measurable milestones and civic partnerships; other council members noted the importance of also supporting students’ social-emotional needs while pursuing academic gains.

Pérez said specific follow-ups will include a public update on English-learner progress in November and a 90-day progress report to the city when invited.