Growth of charter schools in California leads to conflict with school districts The heads of UTLA and CCSA square off in a radio debate as charter advocates are seeking to double the number of students attending charter schools in California by 2022. KQED Oakland school district sued by charter group over access to facilities, San...

Granada Hills Charter triumphs again in state academic decathlon For the fifth time in six years, students at Granada Hills Charter High School have won the California Academic Decathlon. They will defend the school’s national title in April. KPCC The ‘Broad plan’ for LA schools grows to more than charters only, KPCC How to help elementary...

Are charter schools suspending too many students? In the 2011-12 school year, charter schools nationwide had an average out-of-school suspension rate of 7.8 percent, as opposed to 6.7 percent in traditional public schools, meaning the rate in charter schools was 16 percent higher. However, the data is a few years old, and much has changed...

Monica Ratliff files to run for Fuentes’ City Council seat in the Valley Ratliff, a grade school teacher who scored a significant upset in the 2013 election, filed initial paperwork Monday to run for the San Fernando Valley seat being vacated by Los Angeles City Councilman Felipe Fuentes. Los Angeles Times, by David Zahniser and...

California moves to bring special education students ‘into the fold’ of mainstream education Ordered by the federal government to elevate academics for students with disabilities, and by the state to raise low-income student achievement, the California Department of Education is working to create a unified system that will do both. EdSource, by Jane Meredith Adams...

What exactly is a good school? California is trying to find out The California State Board of Education on Thursday heard from about 60 people who commented on how to define a good or bad school. Some focused on “school climate,” or how students felt in school, and relationships with teachers. Los Angeles Times, by...

Education division has ‘no vision’ for how to help students with disabilities Some students with disabilities in Los Angeles County are getting shortchanged by the bureaucracy that is supposed to ensure they receive a good education, according to a consultant’s report. Los Angeles Times, by Joy Resmovits LA Unified staff rejecting more charter applications, but...

Regulations would outlaw classes that fail to teach students anything The State Board of Education today will consider adopting emergency regulations designed to prohibit high schools from assigning students to “faux” or repeat classes that rob them of learning time. Cabinet Report, by Kimberly Beltran A dozen districts offer free SAT to all juniors, EdSource White...

An LAUSD teacher is named National Teacher of the Year finalist Daniel Jocz’s curriculum includes a more inclusive approach to history and an assist from Taylor Swift. Los Angeles Magazine, by Emily Goldberg Some schools have bake sales. This West Hollywood fundraiser got Beyoncé, Los Angeles Times Oil and gas firm reactivates long-idle wells near L.A....

Advocates voice ‘grave concern’ over LAUSD’s charter schools review process Charter school leaders are rallying behind applicants who hope to open a new charter high school, intensifying their accusation that Los Angeles Unified School District officials are playing politics with charter applications. KPCC, by Kyle Stokes LA Unified keeps schools open after receiving ‘non-credible’ threat,...