Parents Criticize Officials After Cheating Allegations Roil School Leaders of a parent organization at Short Avenue Elementary on Tuesday criticized the school’s former principal and the Los Angeles Unified School District in the wake of alleged cheating and mistakes in administering state standardized tests by teachers. LA Times Dan Walters: What to Do if Proposition...

It was intriguing to see UTLA president Warren Fletcher sitting at the table with Jordan Henry, co-founder of NewTLA, at last night’s Los Angeles Education Partnership roundtable event titled “Do Unions Drive or Restrain Student Success?” A caucus of teachers frequently at odds with UTLA leadership, NewTLA is currently encouraging members to nominate themselves for union leadership positions at their schools....

When the United States Department of Education announced yesterday that the deadline for Race to the Top applications was being been pushed back due to Hurricane Sandy, a Washington, DC trade publication called Education Week wondered whether the delay might give LAUSD more time to negotiate with UTLA for a chance at as much as $40 million. But, when...

LAUSD, Other Districts Miss Out on Race to the Top Grants as Unions Won’t Sign Applications The two sides resumed informal discussions on Monday after the deadline was extended because of Hurricane Sandy, but still couldn’t reach an agreement.  Daily News See also the LA Times Gov. Jerry Brown Has Yet to Pick a Central...

The administrators’ association has been repeatedly complaining to the school district about administrators’ workload (see: Principals: Too Many Plans). But the AALA hasn’t been getting much time or attention from LAUSD Superintendent Deasy who, according to the October 22  newsletter, says he’s too focused on Props 30 and 38 to meet with them. “Finding resources to help and committing them...

Teachers Union Refuses to Sign Off on LAUSD Plan for Race to the Top Grant The Los Angeles teachers union has refused to sign off on Los Angeles Unified’s bid for a prestigious Race to the Top grant, costing the district a shot at winning $40 million in federal money, sources said Saturday. Daily News...

There are two likely opponents running against Steve Zimmer – Jeneen Robinson and Kate Anderson, a handful of candidates who have already filed official papers to run against Monica Garcia, and rumors but no names yet for the spot being vacated by the departing Nury Martinez. But these incumbents and their opponents won’t be doing all the campaign planning, strategy, and media...

Board Member Nury Martinez Wants Schools to Serve Healthier Food Los Angeles Unified board member Nury Martinez has introduced a resolution promoting the school district’s efforts to ensure that its 700,000 students have access to healthful food that is locally grown with sound environmental practices. Daily News Charles Munger Drops Another $13 Million Into Ballot...

Support Plunges for Prop. 30, Gov. Jerry Brown’s Tax Initiative Only 46% of registered voters now support Prop. 30, a drop of 9 percentage points over the last month, and 42% oppose it. LA Times See also Ed Source Molly Munger’s Prop. 38 Is Spoiling Jerry Brown’s Prop. 30. She’s Not Sorry. Both proposals could...

In a Friday memo to the school board, Superintendent John Deasy has outlined the “devastating” financial impacts on LAUSD should Proposition 30 (Governor Jerry Brown’s proposed tax measure) not pass. Deasy says that the only way the district could deal with such drastic cuts is by ending the school year “shortly after April.” The district would...