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A plan to add more meaning to CA computer science class
Few students would likely take advanced computer science just for fun, even though the course is considered an elective in nearly all California high schools. But a new bill, SB 1200, from State Senator Alex Padilla of Pacoima, would change that, developing guidelines for the course to count toward graduation by fulfilling a math requirement....
By Vanessa Romo | April 16, 2014
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Gov. Brown’s Veto Leaves Teacher Dismissal in Limbo*
Governor Jerry Brown’s veto of AB 375, a bill that would have amended California’s teacher dismissal process, doesn’t mean the effort is dead. “The governor still wants to do something,” LA Unified’s chief lobbyist, Edgar Zazueta, told LA School Report. “I do see there will be one, if not several, efforts to do this next year. Hopefully we’re...
By Hillel Aron | October 11, 2013
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New Law Allows Grad Students to Have a Second Year of Training
Among the 28 bills Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law yesterday, four bear directly on California educators and students. One bill, SB 5, sponsored by Sen. Alex Padilla (D, Pacoima), aims to create better teachers by allowing graduate students to spend an additional year in training before becoming a teacher. Until now, the state had limited...
By Chase Niesner | August 28, 2013
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Teacher Dismissal Bill Blocked Over Seven-Month Time Limit
After nine months of hearings and amendments, legislation aimed to quicken and streamline teacher dismissal procedures failed to pass in the Senate Education Committee by one vote. The Chair of the Senate Education Committee Carol Liu (D-Glendale) — the only LA-area lawmaker on the committee — decided not to vote for or against the bill...
By Brianna Sacks | July 11, 2013
Investigation: Nearly 1,000 Native Children Died in Federal Boarding Schools
Podcast: What a Mentorship Mindset Can Do for Student Motivation
Black and Hispanic Voters Say Democrats Aren’t Focused Enough on K-12 Education
Teen Activist Rhea Maniar on the Power of Abortion to Turn Out Young Voters
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East Valley Power Politics Shaped District 6 Runoff
As you may have read in last week’s LA Weekly about School Board member Nury Martinez’s bid for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council, there are surprisingly few women left on the Council thanks in large part to a rivalry between two male-dominated East San Fernando Valley political clans. The rivalry between these two Latino...
By Hillel Aron | May 16, 2013
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State Teachers Union Rejects Criticism of Teacher Dismissal Bill*
California Teachers Association President Dean Vogel has issued a sharp response to criticism of the proposed teacher dismissal bill being championed by Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo), focusing in particular on those of former state lawmaker Gloria Romero: “Far from jumping late onto any dismissal bandwagon, CTA has led support of efforts to expedite the dismissal process, maintain existing safeguards...
By Alexander Russo | April 29, 2013
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Assemblymember Bloom Opposes Teacher Dismissal Bill
Earlier this month, LA School Report interviewed education players in California about AB 375, sponsored by Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo), which would streamline the dismissal process for teachers accused of sexual abuse and other forms of misconduct.proposal. EdVoice, LAUSD, and others generally said they were happy something was being done to improve the current teacher dismissal process....
By Samantha Oltman | April 18, 2013
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Mixed Reactions to New Teacher Dismissal Bill
AB 375, a new bill meant to streamline teacher dismissals, could be headed for quick passage after clearing the State Assembly’s Education Committee with a 7 – 0 vote Thursday. The bill’s chance at passing is undoubtedly aided by the announcement last week that the state’s largest teachers union, the California Teachers Association, was joining...
By Samantha Oltman | April 5, 2013
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Morning Read: CTA Backs New Teacher Dismissal Bill
In Meeting of the Minds, CTA Also Backs Teacher Dismissal Bill With unusual speed, the California Teachers Association endorsed a bill Assemblymember Joan Buchanan introduced last week that would quicken the process for dismissing teachers. The teachers association joins Sen. Alex Padilla, thus creating a consensus among opposite sides of one of the most contentious issues last...
By Samantha Oltman | March 26, 2013
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Lawmaker Supports Former Opponent’s Teacher Dismissal Bill
State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) announced Thursday that he was shelving SB 10, his controversial bill intended to speed up and streamline the teacher dismissal process in California public schools. Now, Padilla plans to join forces with Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo), head of the Assembly’s Education Committee, who introduced her own alternative teacher dismissal bill...
By Samantha Oltman | March 22, 2013