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LA Unified is joining President Obama’s initiative to help improve educational outcomes for African American and Latino boys.

At Loyola Marymount University on Monday, the district will conduct a day-long conference and series of workshops for teachers aimed at providing instructional training and strategies that focus on meeting the needs of boys of color.

The agenda includes presentations by experts on such subjects as college readiness and global competitiveness; understanding what adolescent Latino male readers need; and how to validate and affirm strengths to achieve personal and academic success.

Last week, Obama pledged to address a series of issues critical to improving education performances, including access to preschool, Advanced Placement, honors and gifted programs; reducing the incidence of absenteeism, suspension and expulsions; and working to transform high schools with low graduation rates among males of color.