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Hendy-Newbill bringing a coach’s perspective to board race
Second in a series of profiles of candidates for the LA Unified’s open District 1 board seat. As a teacher, basketball coach and wife of a former NBA player, Sherlett Hendy-Newbill knows the value of teamwork, discipline and dedication. It’s those attributes she is promising to bring to the LA Unified school board if she...
By Yana Gracile | April 28, 2014
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Rachel Johnson using experience to boost District 1 chances
Beginning today, LA School Report is taking a longer look at each of the seven candidates running for LA Unified’s vacant South LA, District 1 board seat. The series starts today with Rachel Johnson and will continue over the weeks ahead. After three decades as a LAUSD elementary school teacher and nine years as a...
By Yana Gracile | April 22, 2014
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Just in: LA County Board of Ed OKs Aspire renewals
The LA County Board of Education today reversed a decision by the LA Unified school board by voting to approve the renewal of two Aspire charter schools. “We are delighted in the vote of confidence by the LA County Office of Education,” said Aspire Public Schools CEO James Willcox. By renewing our charters for Aspire Ollin...
By Yana Gracile | April 15, 2014
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LA County Board of Education deciding fate of 2 Aspire charters
The LA County Board of Education is set to vote later today on whether to allow two top-performing charter schools to remain open. The appeal was filed in February after two Aspire public charter schools in southeast Los Angeles — Aspire Antonio Maria Lugo Academy and Aspire Ollin University Preparatory Academy — were denied renewals...
By Yana Gracile | April 15, 2014
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LAUSD gets a new ‘index’ to help schools where needs are highest
A coalition of education advocates and community groups has developed a new tool, a “student needs index,” and offering it to LA Unified to help identify high-need schools as the district refines its next annual budget. Created by the Community Coalition, Advancement Project and InnerCity Struggle, the index uses environmental, social and academic factors that...
By Yana Gracile | April 15, 2014
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New settlement reached on lawsuit challenging teacher layoffs
A new settlement has been reached in a lawsuit challenging budget-base layoffs, marking a major breakthrough in a long-fought case. The settlement, aimed at addressing inequities at low-performing schools, will provide a huge boost in resources to 37 schools that have long struggled with high teacher turnover, student drop-out rates and low student achievement. The...
By Yana Gracile | April 8, 2014
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Groups stage a rally to show impact of LAUSD drop outs
The sound of classroom silence. As part of a rally by parents, education advocates and civil rights groups who represent Communities for Los Angeles Student Success, or CLASS, 375 desks were set up this morning at the LAUSD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles. With downtown LA’s skyline as the backdrop, the empty desks represented the number...
By Yana Gracile | April 8, 2014
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Rallies at LAUSD for budget priorities and a student voice
With the LA Unified board meeting tomorrow, two rallies are taking place outside district headquarters that seek support for two different educational issues. Parents, education advocates and civil rights groups, who represent Communities for Los Angeles Student Success, or CLASS, are organizing a “silent protest” on behalf of low-income students, schools and communities by placing...
By Yana Gracile | April 7, 2014
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Vergara-like ballot initiative pulled until 2016, report says
A state ballot initiative aimed at regulations governing teachers that was headed for the November ballot has been pushed to 2016, according to a report by ABC affiliate KXTV in Sacramento. The measure was seeking to change the way California school districts lay off teachers by using a teacher’s classroom performance rating, rather than seniority....
By Yana Gracile | April 1, 2014
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California special ed teacher receives a special award
The California Teacher Corps, the statewide organization representing California’s alternative certification programs, today honored Allan Hallis with the 2014 Michael McKibbin Outstanding Educator of the Year Award during its fourth annual conference in Sacramento. “You work really hard in the profession, so it’s nice to have some of that hard work be recognized by colleagues...
By Yana Gracile | March 31, 2014