Your donation will help us produce journalism like this. Please give today.

• Be More Like New Jersey: An LA Times editorial argues that California follow in New Jersey’s footsteps, which just reformed its teacher tenure rules, lengthening the probationary period to four years (it had been three; in California it is 18 months), and limiting the arbitration period for firing a tenured teacher to three months, at a cost not to exceed $7,500. LA Times

• New ‘Race to the Top’ Details Announced: Districts across the country will compete for four-year awards ranging from $5 million to $40 million. To win, they must show commitment to four areas of reform. In the past, the money had gone to states. This time, the money will go directly to school districts. KPCC

• District: No tickets For Ditching: LAUSD, in an effort to cut down on the number of tickets issued to students (and thanks in part to community pressure), will not issue tickets for ditching class. KPCC

• New South Gate High School Finally Opening: South Region High School No. 9 is finally set to open its doors, 25 years (!) after it was envisioned. The school site had to undergo a $22 million environmental cleanup, removing 112,000 cubic yards of toxic soil. The district is “pursuing legal action against previous owners.” LA Times

• Fired Charter Exec Receives $245,000 Settlement: John Allen, the founder and former head of Crescendo Charter Schools, was fired for allegedly ordering his staff to cheat on state tests, a scandal that led to the closing of the six Crescendo campuses. Allen had sued the Crescendo board for wrongful dismissal. LA Times

• LAUSD Rolls Out New Batch of Healthy Menus: The District has revamped its lunch menu to include pulled pork sandwiches, hamburger sliders, whole-grain spaghetti and meatballs. The new menus are in line with new federal recommendations that half of meals be made up of fruits and vegetables. Daily News