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Raw audio: 7 defining moments in the Vergara appeals arguments

Vergara v. California was reversed today. The landmark lawsuit sought to scuttle teacher tenure laws and “last in, first out” layoff policies, stating they disproportionately harm minority and low-income students. The plaintiffs – nine students in five California public school districts – argued that five laws governing teacher dismissal deprive them of their right to a quality...
By Mike Szymanski | April 14, 2016
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$40 million more OKd to fix MiSiS, then it will cost at least $12 million each year to maintain

Another $40.3 million was approved to repair and run the beleaguered MiSiS computer system for the next year, but the big question at Tuesday’s LA Unified School Board meeting was how much it will cost to maintain once all the repairs are done. The answer came late into the nearly six-hour meeting when board member Monica Ratliff asked Diane...
By Mike Szymanski | April 14, 2016
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Morning Read: LA students at White House Science Fair

Los Angeles students attend 2016 White House Science Fair The White House Science Fair features winners of prestigious science, technology, engineering and math competitions from around the country. KPCC LAUSD reaffirms commitment to teaching Armenian genocide, Asbarez Taking math in morning may lead to higher grades for teens, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Districts, unions innovate to evaluate...
By LA School Report | April 14, 2016
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Ethnic studies classes get renewed after stalling

Although an ethnic studies mandate was approved by the school board in 2014, LA Unified is only now taking steps to fulfill their hope of getting ethnic studies into every high school. But it won’t be a graduation requirement any time soon, and it won’t be a requirement for the class of 2019, as the school...
By Mike Szymanski | April 13, 2016
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Morning Read: School for boys coming to LAUSD

LA Unified OKs all-boys school in downtown The Los Angeles Unified School District approved the creation of the Boys Academic Leadership Academy, a single-gender school that will be located on the campus of Washington Preparatory High School. City News Service Basketball courts collapse at high school in Huntington Park, Aol News Azusa school coach says...
By LA School Report | April 13, 2016
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Why aren’t independent charters part of the CORE accountability system?

LA School Report on Monday published a comprehensive top-to-bottom list of all 714 schools that were evaluated by a new accountability system LA Unified developed along with five other California districts, but missing from the data were independent charter schools. With over 210 of these kinds of schools and 101,000 students enrolled in them at...
By Craig Clough | April 12, 2016
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LIVESTREAM of today’s LAUSD school board meeting

The LA Unified school board is scheduled to hold an open session meeting today at 1 p.m. Items up for discussion are two resolutions aimed at identifying, encouraging and replicating successful schools within the district. Other potential board actions include approval of a $40 million operating budget for MiSiS, the district’s student data computer system, and discussion...
By LA School Report | April 12, 2016
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The Accidental Activist: One mom’s unlikely crusade to bring better schools to Northern California

Often, big social movements start with just one worried parent. That’s the case in Redwood City, just south of San Francisco, where two new charter schools recently opened their doors. In Redwood City, that worried parent was Maritza Leal, a mother of three who, along with her husband, played a major role in bringing a...
By Richard Whitmire | April 12, 2016
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Morning Read: $7.1 million awarded to charter school in Prop. 39 case against LAUSD

Charter school awarded $7.1 million in case against LAUSD The Los Angeles Unified School District must pay $7.1 million to a San Fernando Valley charter school for failing to provide the school with rent-free classroom space, a violation of state law. By Zahira Torres, Los Angeles Times Pearson’s quest to cover the planet in company-run schools,...
By LA School Report | April 12, 2016
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New data reveal best and worst of LAUSD schools

According to an analysis of a new school accountability system developed by six California school districts including LA Unified, the district’s 13 lowest performers are all elementary schools, the best high school is Harbor Teacher Prep Academy and the worst high school is Jordan High. These conclusions were made following an LA School Report analysis of LA Unified schools evaluated...
By Craig Clough | April 11, 2016