-
Torlakson, Tuck in statistical tie, according to new Field poll
* UPDATED A new Field poll shows that the race for state Superintendent of Public Education is tightening. Some might say it’s now nip and tuck. A survey conducted over the last two weeks in August of 467 people who said they were likely to vote in November found that the incumbent, Marshall Tuck, a former...
By LA School Report | September 9, 2014
-
Vergara appeal (or not) divisive issue for Torkalson and Tuck
* UPDATED The lower court’s final ruling in the Vergara case has pushed it into the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction as the latest proxy fight between supporters of reform and protectors of the status quo. Tom Torlakson, the incumbent, is urging the state to appeal. Marshall Tuck, the challenger, is urging the state not...
By Vanessa Romo | August 29, 2014
-
2 LA Unified teachers selected as finalists for national award
Two LA Unified elementary school teachers are among six California educators selected as finalists for the 2014 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching or (PAEMST). The two were selected in the science category: Kristen Johnson, a fifth grade teacher at low-performing 93rd Street Elementary School, where she has taught for 21 years;...
By Yana Gracile | July 22, 2014
-
At AFT convention, teachers union expected to fire up the base
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) kicks off its annual convention in downtown Los Angeles tomorrow bringing more 3,500 national union delegates to the home of LA Unified, the second largest school district in the country. On the agenda: fending off what the union sees as its biggest threats, including billionaire money, an assault on...
By Vanessa Romo | July 9, 2014
-
Race for California school chief a referendum on change
Associated Press writer Lisa Leff takes a look at the race for California Superintendent of Public Instruction San Francisco (AP) — Tom Torlakson, the veteran lawmaker seeking a second term as California’s elected superintendent of schools, and Marshall Tuck, a former charter school executive hoping to unseat him, are both Democrats. The two agree the...
By LA School Report | May 20, 2014
-
Marshall Tuck: ‘We need fundamental and urgent change’
Marshall Tuck, a former charter school executive, is challenging incumbent Tom Torlakson to become California’s next State Superintendent of Public Education. The race includes Lydia Gutierrez, a former teacher who also ran four years ago. The three are on the statewide June 3 primary ballot. We caught up with Tuck at a forum last week, and...
By Vanessa Romo | May 9, 2014
-
22 LAUSD elementary schools make state’s ‘distinguished’ list
Nearly two dozen LA Unified schools were among the 424 elementary schools cited by the state today as California Distinguished Schools. The announcement came from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson who said, “I applaud these strong, thriving schools that are making such impressive strides in preparing their students for continued success.” The 2014...
By Vanessa Romo | April 30, 2014
-
LA Unified graduation rates up for third straight year
* UPDATED For the third straight year in LA Unified, the high school graduation rate increased and the dropout rate decreased, according to new state data released today. Last June, the graduation rate climbed to 67.9 percent, or 1.3 percentage points higher than the previous year. And more students stayed in school: The dropout rate...
By Vanessa Romo | April 28, 2014
-
Smarter Balanced Field Tests around CA starting tomorrow
As California gets ready to transition to a new assessment system, the state is set to rollout its Smarter Balanced Field Test starting tomorrow. As part of the field test, the state will be examining technological capacity and the quality of test questions, while helping students and teachers prepare for next year’s first operational test,...
By Yana Gracile | March 24, 2014
-
LA Unified getting $6.8 million in latest round of Prop 39 funds
LA Unified, the second-largest school district in the country, is getting the largest amount of any school district in California in the latest round of funds from Prop 39, the 2012 California Clean Energy Jobs Act. The measure makes changes to corporate income taxes, providing $550 million annually for five fiscal years beginning with the...
By LA School Report | February 27, 2014