LA School Report

Superintendent Ramon Cortines of LA Unified confirmed in June that the district’s police force has ended its involvement in a federal program that delivered military-grade weapons to school districts. The decision on the so-called 1033 Program came on the heels of President Obama‘s announcement in May that he was severely restricting the parameters of the program. The response...

A new documentary — focusing on the ethnic mix of Boyle Heights and how the construction of a freeway nearly destroyed the neighborhood — is drawing the attention of educators as a way show how the east LA neighborhood once stood as a monument to diversity and community strength. “East LA Interchange” debuted at a...

Overcoming lingering technical and logistical problems, eight remaining LAUSD schools will begin providing free breakfast in the classroom within the first two weeks of the coming school year, district officials said. That will complete the largest school breakfast program in the nation after more than three years of planning, said Laura Benavidez, project manager for the...

By Sarah Tully Parents won’t be able to transfer their children out of California’s lowest-ranked schools under a little-known law because the state’s scoring index – the basis for the rankings – has been suspended. The California Department of Education this year will not identify 1,000 low-ranking schools, where parents can request to transfer their...

LAUSD officials: MiSiS ready for the new school year While the $133.6-million computer program isn’t fully functional officials said that placing students in the proper classes won’t be a problem. Los Angeles Daily News BH High’s only black principal settled race case, now wants board seat Carter Paysinger announced he would retire June 30, move...

In response to the “teacher jailing” of a beloved LA Unified teacher, Rafe Esquith, acclaimed actors Ian McKellen and Hal Holbrook joined past and present students in a You Tube video to offer their support for Esquith and to show how money spent from his after-school program, Hobart Shakespeareans, benefitted his students. “It is our response to their request for 15...

Among the biggest challenges facing California school districts in the coming years is a growing teacher shortage. Enrollment in teacher preparation programs has plummeted since 2008, and more than 100,000 teachers are expected to retire in the next decade. Despite the gathering storm, the state lacks any cohesive strategy to solving the problem, according to a...

The LA Unified board takes its first step in choosing a new superintendent, with a largely closed door meeting scheduled for tomorrow night. It’s a baby step, with the seven-member board most likely deciding on the parameters and requirements for a head-hunting firm that will bring them the top names for the position. While it’s a lofty...

By Claudio Sanchez Many high schoolers hoping to attend George Washington University in Washington, D.C., one of the top private universities in the country, breathed a sigh of relief this week. GWU announced it will no longer require applicants to take the SAT or ACT. The move comes after the school formed a task force...

Why schools are rushing to hire more bilingual teachers Global events and continued growth among the Latino population have led to higher levels of students who don’t speak English. Fusion Taking aim at the ‘middle school plunge’ with a positive culture Fear of being publicly embarrassed or even physically hurt is widespread among students who...