Filling the gap for unaccompanied children caught in judicial limbo LAUSD and districts like it have been singularly burdened with addressing the extensive needs of unaccompanied immigrant children. The Chronicle of Social Change, by Gabriel Fuentes Free prom dresses, shoes donated to homeless LAUSD girls, KABC Governor appoints 3 SoCal residents to CSU Board of Trustees, City News...

As SAT enters a new era this week, students say the exam has improved The new version of the SAT aims more than ever to measure core skills taught in school, such as reading charts, analyzing evidence and applying algebra in mathematical problems. Washington Post, by Nick Anderson Disturbing cellphone video shows violent attack on...

Debate emerges over state actions needed to ease teacher shortages As California school districts grapple with a widening shortage of teachers, a policy debate has emerged about just how actively the state should be involved in trying to remedy the problem. EdSource, by Louis Freedberg When social and emotional learning is key to college success,...

LAUSD plans a Common Core makeover for its elementary report cards The report card changes are being proposed as part of a plan to better help parents track how well students are mastering the expectations spelled out in new sets of academic standards. The new report cards significantly expand the section rating students’ academic performance....

LA schools chief to hold town hall Tuesday in San Fernando Valley The town hall, part of a promised “listening tour,” will allow new LA Unified Superintendent Michelle King to share her vision for the nation’s second largest school district. Los Angeles Daily News, by Dana Bartholomew Are synthetic playing surfaces hazardous to athletes’ health? Los...

Court orders release of personal data for 10 million+ CA students LAUSD has been using its “robo call” system to alert parents to the data release and tell them how to opt out via the California Department of Education web site. Associated Press Editorial: Keep student data private in special-ed lawsuit, Los Angeles Times Madison...

Why L.A. Unified’s graduation rate is expected to soar this year The projected graduation rate could rise as high as 80%, compared with last year’s 74%, according to LAUSD officials. Los Angeles Times, by Howard Blume S.F. board unanimously backs condom access in middle school, San Francisco Chronicle Welcome to the Local Control Funding Formula...

More than 200 Compton school teachers call in sick Monday marked the third time in the last two years that Compton’s teachers have been accused of calling a sick-out, a day when workers agree to call out sick as a form of protest. NBC Los Angeles Report: State must adopt guidelines for parent engagement in schools,...

Dozens of L.A. schools need to check if dress codes keep students out of class About 160 schools in L.A. Unified’s central area will be asked to reexamine their dress codes to make sure students are not missing class time because of their clothes. Los Angeles Times, by Sonali Kohli Will California use chronic absenteeism...

LA County Board of Education denies appeal of Glendale charter school County officials determined the plan “provides an unsound educational program,” according to the report. Los Angeles Times, by Kelly Corrigan Black male teachers a dwindling demographic Nationally, black males represent roughly 2 percent of all public school teachers. America’s K-12 schools have never been...