LOS ANGELES – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed Celia Ayala, chief operating officer of Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP), to the California Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee.

Ayala will join other committee members in recommending a state Early Learning Quality Improvement System, which will develop policy and an implementation plan for improving the quality of early education programs throughout California. The Advisory Committee will conduct an assessment and analysis of the state's existing early care and education infrastructure and develop a quality rating scale to help existing and future programs reach and maintain higher levels of quality, and help parents make informed decisions about preschool programs for their children.

The committee may consider issues ranging from teacher qualifications and compensation and parent involvement to English learner support and group size and ratios. Committee members will provide an interim report to the Legislature and Governor by Dec. 31, and a final report one year later. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary.

"The Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee holds tremendous potential. Every preschool classroom funded by the state of California should be offering high-quality services to the children and families in its community," Ayala said.

"Research confirms the social and economic benefits of early education for children and families as well as society," Ayala continued. "Children who attend effective preschool programs are better prepared for kindergarten. They have stronger language skills in the first years of elementary school, and they are less likely to repeat a grade or drop out of school."

Ayala, 54, is a resident of Whittier, who for more than 30 years has worked tirelessly as a teacher, administrator and advocate for the children of Southern California. Throughout her career, Ayala has worked to expand educational opportunities for children during their critical early stages of life.

Since 2007, she has served as the chief operating officer of LAUP. Previously, Ayala served as assistant superintendent for the Division of Children and Family Services at the Riverside County Office of Education.

Prior to that, she was the director of Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Technologies (for K-12) for the Pasadena Unified School District. She also served as the principal at James Madison Elementary School, and worked for the Los Angeles County Office of Education, where she served as director and senior project manager of Migrant Education.

Ayala also served as a coordinator of Bilingual Education, Title VII, and acting principal for El Ranchito Elementary School. She was also a curriculum specialist at El Rancho Unified School District.

Ayala's educational path has complemented her professional success and advocacy. Ayala holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education from the University of Southern California; a Master of Arts degree in Education from California State University, Los Angeles; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and sociology from the University of Southern California. She holds an administrative service credential and a secondary teaching credential.

Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) is an independent, public benefit corporation dedicated to making voluntary, high-quality preschool available to every 4-year old in Los Angeles County. Created in 2004 and funded predominantly by First 5 LA, LAUP is supporting the development of preschool classrooms that will bring the total number of children served by LAUP to 10,500 annually. By combining innovative business practices with a deep understanding of early childhood education, LAUP serves as a model for universal preschool systems across the state and around the country.