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JUST IN: Geragos plans class action against LAUSD over teacher jails
High-profile attorney Mark Geragos has notified LAUSD that he intends to file a class action lawsuit about the so-called “teacher jails” that could involve hundreds–and potentially thousands–of past and present teachers. The required notice for the class action lawsuit was stamped and received by the school board on June 22, and 45 days from that...
By Mike Szymanski | July 13, 2015
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Petition to change name of Griffith MS heading to LAUSD board
As the Confederate flag came down from the South Carolina State Capitol today, LAUSD teacher Jose Lara continued to drum up support for a petition to change the name of the David Wark Griffith Middle School because the director’s film “The Birth of a Nation” is racist, according to Lara. “I have been extremely pleased with...
By Mike Szymanski | July 10, 2015
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As new AALA president, Flecha eyes benefits of stronger economy
Taking over as new president of the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA), Juan Flecha says the time has come to take advantage of an improving economy and restore support staff and janitors at LA Unified schools. In an interview with LA School Report, Flecha outlined plans he has for the 3,000 certificated and classified administrators...
By Mike Szymanski | July 9, 2015
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Cortines saves some library aide jobs, trying to save a few more
In just the first week of July, the number of library aide positions at LAUSD being “separated” from the district was reduced to 14 from 22. Superintendent Ramon Cortines is trying to find ways to save the remaining positions before the school year begins next month. “These 14 ladies got notices that say they are...
By Mike Szymanski | July 9, 2015
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Petition calls for Griffith Middle School name change over racism
A petition inspired by UTLA social justice activist Jose Lara is calling for the immediate removal of the name D.W. Griffith from an East Los Angeles middle school because his 1915 film, “The Birth of a Nation,” celebrated the Ku Klux Klan. The demand follows nationwide calls for the removal of Confederate flags from public spaces in the aftermath of...
By Mike Szymanski | July 8, 2015
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Mandarin immersion supporters continue grassroots battle
A group of about 170 parents is organizing to keep LA Unified from cutting a Mandarin Immersion program in Mar Vista by raising money and hiring consultants and lobbyists to make their case with members of the board and their staffs. “It’s not over,” parent Jenn Pullen, an organizer of the group, Parents for Progressive Education, told LA School...
By Mike Szymanski | July 8, 2015
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Report from charter group suggests English learners do better at charters
English learner students are performing better in charter schools than in traditional schools, according to a new report released by the California Charter Schools Association. The report, “Success for English Learners in Charter Schools,” found that throughout the state, independent charter schools are serving nearly 2 percent more English learner (EL) students than traditional schools....
By Mike Szymanski | July 7, 2015
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Board members offer vision of what’s expected of LAUSD president
Steve Zimmer may think that being elected as the new LA Unified board president was the tough part. But now he has to live up to the expectations of his fellow members of the board. Even before he was voted in unanimously last week, the board members laid out their expectations of the future president....
By Mike Szymanski | July 6, 2015
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Zimmer names McKenna, Ratliff, Vladovic as LA Unified reps
After Steve Zimmer was elected unanimously last week as the LA Unified board president, one of his first orders of business was appointing a Vice President and finding members to represent the district to a series of organizations. In his first move, he named George McKenna, the District 1 representative, as board vice president, which didn’t...
By Mike Szymanski | July 6, 2015
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Parents of LAUSD children in accelerated programs asked to sign contract
In the new school year, parents who have children in accelerated math programs at LA Unified will have to sign a “contract” acknowledging that their child must keep a B grade or better to stay in the class. If the student doesn’t keep at least a B, there will be a parent-teacher meeting to form...
By Mike Szymanski | July 2, 2015