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Burbank forum an ‘interrogation’ of LAUSD’s Hill for superintendent

Burbank Unified’s selection of LA Unified Chief Strategy Officer Matt Hill as a finalist for its superintendent position is turning some heads and raising the blood pressure of some people in Burbank. Hill, who was closely involved in LA Unified’s MiSiS and iPad ventures, was questioned at a public meeting Tuesday in what the Burbank Leader...
By LA School Report | April 16, 2015
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LAUSD ranks low on ‘bang for buck’ list; Cortines planning exit?

Sometimes, it seems, the hits never stop coming for LA Unified. The latest blow comes from the financial website Nerdwallet and its article, “Best School Districts for Your Buck in California.” The story ranked all the state’s districts based on the criteria of affordability to live there, standardized test scores, college readiness and class size. So...
By LA School Report | April 16, 2015
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California bill to strengthen vaccination requirements delayed

By Patrick McGreevy | The Los Angeles Times A proposal that would require more children to be vaccinated in California ran into trouble Wednesday amid objections that it would force thousands of non-immunized students out of public schools. The measure’s author, Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), agreed to delay a vote on it after being warned...
By LA School Report | April 16, 2015
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Morning Read: Common Core math creating ‘freakout moments’

Southland parents still scratching their heads on Common Core math California’s new Common Core learning standards have some public school parents pulling out their hair. KPCC Wrestling coach accused of molesting 25 students on team A high school wrestling coach in Southern California has been arrested on suspicion of molesting 25 students on his team....
By LA School Report | April 16, 2015
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Just in: LAUSD seeking refund for iPads with Pearson software

In the latest chapter of the bungled iPads-for-all program, LA Unified has informed Apple, Inc. that it will not pay for any future deliveries of iPads that have Pearson educational software on them and will also be looking to recoup the cost of any devices that did not work properly. In a memo to Apple,...
By Craig Clough | April 15, 2015
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LAUSD’s Matt Hill a finalist for superintendent of Burbank schools

One of the last top tier LA Unified executives who was instrumental in launching the disastrous iPad and MISIS programs, is one step away from getting a new job. Matt Hill, the district’s Chief Strategy Officer, is believed to be the favorite among two finalists for the superintendent position at Burbank Unified School District, a...
By Vanessa Romo | April 15, 2015
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Former challenger to Vladovic endorses him in District 7 board race

LA Unified school board President Richard Vladovic has received a boost to his reelection efforts with an endorsement from a primary opponent, Euna Anderson. Anderson, an early education principal with LA Unified, finished third in the three-way District 7 election on March 3 but still garnered close to 20 percent of the vote. Vladovic finished with 42.61 percent...
By Craig Clough | April 15, 2015
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Private internal poll showing Gutierrez slightly ahead of Vladovic

LA Unified board President Richard Vladovic appears to be in the political fight of his life. A recent internal poll of District 7 voters by the California Charter Schools Association Advocates and Great Public Schools: Los Angeles, which the groups shared with LA School Report, showed his challenger, Lydia Gutierrez, leading by 37 percent to 34 percent,...
By Michael Janofsky | April 15, 2015
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LA Unified board approves new employee health care package

The LA Unified school board yesterday approved a health care package of benefits for its unions that will increase the district’s contributions to the plan to $1.23 billion over the next three years. without requiring an analysis of the long-term effects of additional costs, including the possibility of bankruptcy. Board member Monica Ratliff tried to...
By Vanessa Romo | April 15, 2015
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Study finds genetic link to academic indifference

By Rina Marie Garcia | The International Business Times A study consisting of 25 co-authors and led by Yulia Kovas, a professor of psychology at Goldsmiths, University of London, say that a genetic predisposition may be behind why some children are not motivated to go to school. The research, which was partially supported by a grant...
By LA School Report | April 15, 2015