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LAUSD plans to expand computer science to every grade by 2020

At a time of high employment demand for computer experts, fewer than half of LA Unified’s 98 traditional high schools offer computer science classes. “We could have students go through LAUSD without any access to computer science at all,” Suyen Moncada-Machado, a district instructional specialist told a district board committee yesterday as part of a...
By Mike Szymanski | November 4, 2015
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Is it schools or society failing our students?

By Eduardo Porter Here’s the good news: American schools may not be as bad as we have been led to believe. Ah, but here’s the bad news: The rest of American society is failing its disadvantaged citizens even more than we realize. The question is, Should educators be responsible for fixing this? The perennial debate about...
By LA School Report | November 4, 2015
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Morning Read: LAUSD creates filming content guidelines

LAUSD to ask film crews about nudity, drug use, weapons Film crews requesting permits to film at schools will be required to complete a checklist detailing 13 different types of content. NBC, by Jenna Susko California’s attorney general investigates the online charter school industry Students at virtual charter schools lag significantly behind their peers in...
By LA School Report | November 4, 2015
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LA Unified gearing up for new statewide science tests in 2019

LA Unified 2nd graders will be taking a California comprehensive science test when they reach 5th grade in 2019, and district science coordinators are already gearing up for it, according to a presentation before the school boad’s Curriculum, Instruction and Educational Equity Committee. But it’s a huge undertaking. District officials leading the effort told the committee that...
By Mike Szymanski | November 3, 2015
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UTLA plans citywide picketing against Broad charter plan

In its latest chess move opposing a massive charter school expansion plan spearheaded by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the LA teachers union, UTLA, is planning citywide picketing at schools across LA Unified next Tuesday. The picketing would be the latest in a series of actions by the union since the plan was announced...
By LA School Report | November 3, 2015
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Cortines ‘proud’ of MiSiS team’s big turnaround of troubled system

As he reaches what may be his final weeks with the district, LA Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines sent a message Friday to all employees, congratulating the district personnel who have helped make improvements to MiSiS. “I am extremely proud of everyone who has been involved in this important work during the past 12 months,” Cortines...
By Craig Clough | November 3, 2015
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Gov. Brown is consistent in his education ‘do’ and ‘don’t’ choices

By John Fensterwald In the education bills that he vetoed last month, Gov. Jerry Brown made his “don’t” priorities clear to legislators: Don’t tamper with the Local Control Funding Formula; don’t mess with charter schools; don’t create new state mandates; don’t push new spending; and don’t create new state commissions and agencies to examine the limited state data that he...
By LA School Report | November 3, 2015
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Morning Read: State ed board to examine LCAP accountability

Commentary: California’s financing formula reignites big school struggle The struggle over how – and if – California schools will be held accountable for LCAPS results will be rejoined this week in the state Board of Education. Sacramento Bee, by Dan Walters Teachers need more time, money and prestige, report says A new report calls for...
By LA School Report | November 3, 2015
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LA Unified receives $700,000 grant to help struggling students

The federal government has awarded LAUSD a $700,000 grant to assist struggling at-risk students to stay in school and keep on track to get to college or into the workforce. The grant will build on the district’s collaboration with the Los Angeles city government, the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health, Probation and Health Services...
By Mike Szymanski | November 2, 2015
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LAUSD board member websites range from active to somnambulent

Months after LA School Report found confusion, dated information or simply no information on the websites of LA Unified board members, a number of them still appear to be squandering them as their most direct social media asset to reach constituents. In a self-described era of board openness and transparency, some members have made significant improvements on their...
By Craig Clough | November 2, 2015