To encourage and nurture scholarly activity focused on literacy development in the public schools of Los Angeles by: 

²  Developing a research plan to systematically support studies designed to inform both policy and practices related to literacy teaching in local public schools.

²  Fostering an increased level of research activity by faculty through professional development and assistance in obtaining external funding.

²  Providing a forum for public discourse on literacy issues and presentation of conclusions from practice-based research.

²  Disseminating findings from research studies through both print and electronic media to audiences from the communities of practice and of research.

² Creating an intellectual and physical home for literacy-focused researchers, scholars and practitioners.