LA School Report

As the teachers union’s negotiations with LA Unified drag on, one of the nation’s leading voices for teachers appeared at an event last night hosted by district board member Steve Zimmer and made a strong case for union activity and solidarity. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, delivered a fire-and- brimstone-type address to...

Bennett Kayser, who represents District 5 on the LA Unified school board, is front and center tonight, facing his two rivals for the first time in a much anticipated candidate forum at Eagle Rock High School. After suddenly pulling out of two forums last week, Kayser is appearing in the wake of a recent attack mailer...

California Gov. Jerry Brown appears open to restricting vaccine waivers Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday appeared open to legislation that would eliminate all but medical waivers. Los Angeles Times Classroom coaches critical as teachers shift to Common Core California schools are using instructional coaches as a key tool to help teachers adapt their instruction to...

This is the next in a series of profiles on candidates running in the March 3 primary for the LA Unified school board. Today’s focus is Ankur Patel, a candidate for the District 3 seat. At 29-years old, Ankur Patel is the youngest candidate running for the LA Unified School Board, and he’s using that...

Close to 300 LA Unified students who would have ended up in the criminal justice system for minor infractions in years past have been successfully diverted from it this school year, Los Angeles School Police Chief Steven Zipperman told a school board committee yesterday. The effort toward a reduction in student citations and arrests, part of...

UTLA, the LA Unified teachers union, is offering tonight an unvarnished public view of its bargaining position in negotiations with LA Unified for a new teachers contract. Board member Steve Zimmer is scheduled to moderate a panel discussion at Occidental College that includes UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and...

L.A. teachers union call in national leader to rally members United Teachers Los Angeles has called in the president of its national affiliate to help rally members behind contract demands that could lead to the first strike in 25 years. Los Angeles Daily News State pushing for exemption from NCLB test score requirement For the...

By Steve Zimmer The vicious lies contained in the California Charter School Association (CCSA) mailer represent a new low in school board campaign tactics. They attack not only Bennett Kayser’s service to his district but his heart and his soul as well. I know these attacks.  They were leveled at me, my life work and...

The chairman of the the political action committee for the LA teachers union, UTLA, said today that, for now, the union has no plan to endorse Board President Richard Vladovic for reelection to the LA Unified District 7 board seat. Marco Flores said the committee’s next meeting, tomorrow, does not include a recommendation to endorse...

This is the next in a series of profiles on candidates running in the March 3 primary for the LA Unified school board. Today’s focus is Scott Schmerelson, a candidate for the District 3 seat.  Scott Schmerelson is bad at being retired. After more than 35 years as an educator — he’s been a teacher,...