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Board Member-Elect Highlights Vocational Training
In a new KNX 1070 NEWSRADIOinterview, Board member-elect Monica Ratliff expresses some of her own ideas about what should get funded and expanded in LAUSD in upcoming years, including vocational education: “One of the areas to which Ratliff plans to bring renewed focus is vocational education, which involves training students for technical occupations and preparing them...
By Alexander Russo | June 3, 2013
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Watch: Best Commencement Speeches of 2013
Here’s NBC News’ roundup of best moments (so far) from commencement season 2013. Congrats to everyone. Are there others?
By Alexander Russo | May 31, 2013
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Read This: Alternative Programs Grow – and Vary Widely
The Hechinger Report‘s Jackie Mader has a fascinating new piece on the rise of alternative routes to certification for teachers in California and nationwide, focused in part on teacher residency program model that’s being operated by LAUSD and four local universities. Some key takeaways related to cost, growth, effectiveness, and variations among programs and requirements...
By Alexander Russo | May 30, 2013
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Commentary: Sad Educators vs. Poor Parents
The latest LA Times piece on the parent trigger process at Weigand Elementary focuses its attention on the principal being pushed out (and the teachers who may go with her) rather than on the dismal results under her leadership and the frustrated low-income parents who petitioned for her removal. The debate over the merits of the Weigand...
By Alexander Russo | May 29, 2013
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Events: Board Meetings & UTLA Trigger Briefing
There are two more Board meetings between now and when the “new” Board begins in July — the first one focused on budget issues June 4 and the second one a regular monthly Board meeting on June 18. There’s also a UTLA-sponsored June 2 meeting downtown for chapter chairs at schools where parents are gathering...
By Alexander Russo | May 29, 2013
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LA Times: Better School Funding Formula from Brown
Last week’s visit from Governor Jerry Brown in support of his proposed new funding formula garnered lots of media attention and the enthusiastic support of LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy (who’s depending on the $188 million bump in funding for LAUSD that would come from the Brown overhaul). But Brown hasn’t yet persuaded lawmakers in Sacramento...
By Alexander Russo | May 28, 2013
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Overview: Let the School Board Speculation Begin!
Who’s likely to be the new Board president, how will Board member-elect Monica Ratliff react to her new environment, and how is the new Board going to influence what LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy proposes and gets approved? No one really knows for sure how it’s all going to pan out. But LA School Report will begin reporting...
By Alexander Russo | May 24, 2013
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Morning Read: Unions’ Flower Fades
Elections Deal a Blow to L.A. Unions The defeat of Wendy Greuel and other candidates who received heavy financial support from labor is a loss but not a fatal one, observers say. LA Times Jerry Brown’s Political Reboot In his reprise as governor, he’s been as ruthlessly practical as he’s been reflective, embracing his inner...
By Alexander Russo | May 24, 2013
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Ratliff Scores School Board Upset
Monica Ratliff has won her runoff over rival Antonio Sanchez, according to a story posted on KPCC and tweets from LA Times and LA Daily News reporters: “Elementary school teacher Monica Ratliff faced a David-and-Goliath competition for a seat on the Los Angeles Unified School Board — and won.” (LA elects new city attorney, controller and 3...
By Alexander Russo | May 22, 2013
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Ratliff Holds Narrow Lead: Final Outcome Uncertain
So far there is no decisive victor in the race for School Board in District 6 (East Valley) between Monica Ratliff and Antonio Sanchez. As of 3:16 am, Ratliff led Sanchez, 52 to 48 percent. But the difference between them was slim — 20,243 votes for Ratliff compared to 18,779 for Sanchez. If Ratliff prevails it would be...
By Alexander Russo | May 22, 2013