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As deadlines near, LA schools debate how to help foster youth
When Gov. Jerry Brown announced a new boost in school funding — reversing years of cuts — he tied some strings around the money: districts would be paid more for needy kids and they’d have to come up with plans on how the money would help English-learners and students from low income families or in foster care. KPCC

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Possible Head Start closures spur Waters to seek probe
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) protested outside the county Board of Education meeting in Downey with a few dozen Kedren staff members and parents clutching signs and their children who attend those preschool centers. The county education office’s “responsibility is to not close down Head Start, but to help sustain them,” Waters said, adding that she refuses to see another federally funded preschool program closed in South L.A. LA Times

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LA charters record among the biggest learning gains in nation
Students in independent charter schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District significantly outperform similar students in traditional schools in the district, according to a report released last week by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University. The gains were particularly large for schools serving low-income Hispanic students. EdSource

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The survey says: Superintendents want more tech funding
More than half the California school districts surveyed by an education advocacy group said they’ve spent all or most of the funds set aside to implement Common Core State Standards, but still have more to do to prepare for the new academic standards. EdSource

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Lawmakers call for more computer science in California schools
Half a dozen bills before the state Legislature address the growing concern that California students don’t have the computer science skills necessary to thrive in the modern workforce. Educators and tech industry leaders would like high schools to teach students more than just how to use a computer – the goal now is for students to be able to program one. EdSource

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New laws for teachers will ensure better education for kids
Commentary: One would think that our public schools, Legislature, unions and administrators who help manage them, would be deeply committed to ensuring that every child is taught by a high quality, passionate educators. – SF Gate