Teachers unions defend their ground by getting Torlakson reelected Teachers unions defended their ground in California this week by helping to reelect Tom Torlakson. Los Angeles Times Cortines: LA Unified looking to Torlakson for support LA Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines says he is looking forward to support from the newly re-elected state school superintendent, Tom...

Marshall Tuck, who lost a close race to incumbent Tom Torlakson for state Superintendent of Public Instruction, had this to say after the votes were counted: “Sixteen months ago we set out on this journey to do one thing: put children first and ensure that every child has equal access to a quality education. And...

Via Politico | By Stephanie Simon Teachers unions framed this election as a referendum on their vision for public education. Their vision was thumped. Tens of millions in advertising portraying Republican governors as reckless ideologues who sold out kids’ futures to give tax breaks to the wealthy failed to move voters in Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan,...

Tom Torlakson was re-elected yesterday as California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, with 52.1 percent of the vote to 47.9 for Marshall Tuck, making it the closest of all statewide races. This was his victory statement: “We knew it wouldn’t be easy. They were strong, but we were stronger. They were tough, but we were tougher. After...

The California Secretary of State website has complete election results for yesterday’s elections across California. By clicking here, you can access the breakdown of the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction, in which Tom Torlakson won a second term. The statewide result is at the top, and below it are the county-by-county results. Click on...

Torlakson wins superintendent race Tom Torlakson has won a second term as state superintendent of public instruction. Ed Source Voters pass Prop. 2, strengthen rainy day fund Along with re-electing Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday, voters awarded him one of his campaign priorities: strengthening the state budget’s rainy day fund. Ed Source Prop. 47 passes,...

Would-be candidates for next year’s LA Unified school board elections have until noon on Saturday, Nov. 8 to file a Declaration of Intention to run with the Los Angeles City Clerk.  Only those candidates who meet the deadline and submit a qualifying nominating petition will appear on the March 3, 2015 primary ballot. The deadline for...

What you need to know about LA schools’ computer crisis KPCC compiled a short list of questions and answers about what’s been dubbed the “MISIS crisis” by teachers and administrators. KPCC Miramonte: 5 things to watch for as sex abuse civil trial begins Trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday in a big civil lawsuit filed...

Can LA Unified be saved? This difficult question is examined in the in latest episode of the PBS SoCal show, “Studio SoCal.” The episode features an in-depth discussion among the hosts Elizabeth Espinosa and Rick Reiff, reporter David Nazar and California Teachers Empowerment Network President Larry Sand, a frequent critic of UTLA, the LA teachers union. It also...

LA schools superintendent calls for hiring freeze, citing cash shortage Los Angeles Unified’s Interim Superintendent Ramon Cortines ordered a temporary hiring freeze on district staff. KPCC Superintendent race turns on future of reform Spending in the race for California superintendent of public instruction has by far outstripped all other statewide races. Ed Source 2 firms...