Sherlett Hendy-Newbill, the Dorsey High teacher who finished third in the District 1 school board race, is throwing her support behind George McKenna in the August runoff. McKenna, a former administrator, was the top vote getter in the June 3 primary, with 43.7 percent of the vote. He will face the runner-up, Alex Johnson, an...

Predictably, the historic superior court decision yesterday in the Vergara case elicited mixed reactions from members of the LA Unified school board. The ruling, which found California laws dictating teacher tenure, seniority rights and dismissal practices unconstitutional, is seen as huge blow to teacher unions and a boost to education reformers. Here is what a...

California’s teacher unions vowed to fight today’s Vergara ruling that called teacher dismissal, seniority and tenure laws unconstitutional as other education groups applauded the court’s decision. Alex Caputo-Pearl, UTLA President-elect “All the school will be [adversely affected], but the schools where conditions are worst, which is often south LA, that’s the equity issue we’re talking...

The LA Unified School Board will meet all day today, starting at 9 a.m. with a closed door session. The agenda is here). But the fireworks don’t begin until 1 p.m., when the board will reconvene for its regular board meeting, open to the public, That agenda is here, with the supporting material available here. Front...

SEIU Local 99, one of the biggest players in the LAUSD’s political landscape, has endorsed Alex Johnson for school board in the runoff election that will take place on August 12. The union, which represents 45,000 school-related employees including teachers’ assistants, bus drivers and cafeteria workers, made its decision last night after a members-only town...

Senate OKs bill easing firings for teacher abuse The state Senate on Monday passed a bill making it easier to fire teachers accused of sex abuse, child abuse or serious drug crimes. Senators unanimously passed AB215 on a 33-0 vote. The bill by Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, creates a separate hearing process for teachers who...

The California Supreme Court has informed lawyers in Vergara v. California that Judge Rolf Treu’s decision will be issued at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The case pits the state and its biggest teacher unions against nine students who have asked the judge to strike down five laws that govern teacher tenure, dismissal and seniority consideration for...

New science standards pose teacher preparation challenges The evolution of science instruction in California’s K-12 schools has resulted in perhaps the greatest array of specialty credentials in the nation. Teaching students here can consider 9 distinct credentials authorizing science instruction in K-12 schools along with the multiple subject authorization for elementary teachers. If such a...

Via EdSource | By Susan Frey A report released this week by The Council of State Governments Justice Center calls on school districts across the nation to hold themselves accountable for a positive school climate as well as test scores. “Research and data on school discipline is clear,” according to a synopsis of the 400-page report, School Discipline...

*UPDATED Suzanne Blake, whose three-years as principal at John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills have been marked by one controversy after another, has moved from the school to a new position at a district educational center. Teachers at the school said they learned of the change before graduation ceremonies last evening. They also...