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Everyone has an opinion on, well, just about everything.
But we believe the commentary, opinion pieces and op eds published in LA School Report carry special weight because of their originality and thoughtfulness.
From pieces on the benefits of pre-K for English Language Learners; to a neighborhood program offering low income high school students a chance to experience a college campus; to the need for LAUSD to reconsider programs because of looming fiscal realities, here are the best 2024 opinion pieces:
The USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI), a 34-year-old summer college access and success program, is aimed at preparing 6th-12th grade students, all first-generation students of color, for college. Their odds of getting into universities are pretty good: Since 1997, 99% of 1,596 NAI students have enrolled at some of the top colleges in the nation. Two USC and an NAI official offer their thoughts.
The Los Angeles Unified School District was able to avoid the hard choices many California districts had to make in the 2024–25 budget year, experiencing only a 2% budget reduction and no layoffs. The 2025–26 budget year might be a different story. But unless the state’s long-term budget picture changes, it is likely more significant budget reductions are coming to LAUSD. And, as the district continues to see declining student enrollment, there will be fewer dollars coming to the district. USC professors Julie Slayton and John Pascarella offer their opinions.
In recent weeks, news media outlets have reported problems with LAUSD’s new AI chatbot portal. But while district officials work through the program’s kinks, for many Latino and Indigenous families, talk about the use of advanced technologies to improve or simplify communication with schools is daunting. Before exploring advancements in AI and chatbots, we must first discuss the issue of digital equity. Evelyn Aleman offers commentary.
Despite the San Gabriel Valley being only 20 miles away from South Central LA, children growing up in the two areas experience a huge disparity in literacy levels. A journalism student at the University of Southern California who has tutored kids in both places argues in a first-person essay that the use of phonics, coupled with tactics to encourage a love of reading, could help level the playing field. Janette Fu has the story.
As contributor Russ Wiener speaks with everyday Americans about public schools, one message stands out: Everyone wants their children to feel a sense of belonging. A welcoming school environment can address the most vexing educational challenges, including lagging academic achievement, chronic absenteeism and student mental health. Truly preparing young people to thrive as adults and stewards of American democracy means focusing on fostering belonging in schools. Here, some suggestions, from school safety, parent engagement and relevant lessons to free meals and even air-conditioned classrooms.
Contributor Conor Williams observes that the divisive — and now often heinous — debates about immigrants changing the nation miss a central point: Diversity has already arrived, particularly in America’s K-12 schools. In 2022, roughly 21% of school-aged kids spoke a non-English language as did roughly 1 in 3 children under age 5. Studies show their parents are an economic boon, Williams said, and If we want their offspring to flourish, research also points the way. While all young learners benefit from quality pre-K, studies have found that “non-native English speakers” showed stronger gains than other groups.