LA School Report

Via The Sacramento Bee | By Diana Lambert  Though California has embraced new Common Core State Standards so far, parents and educators may feel differently once students produce lower test scores later this year, said Michael Kirst, president of the state Board of Education. Kirst expects an immediate dip in test scores as students take Common...

Billions more for schools could come in spring Already rejoicing over the governor’s plan to increase K-14 school spending next year, educators may look up in May to see that number has grown. SI&A Cabinet Report OC school grapples with overcrowding Parents say overcrowding at a Rancho Santa Margarita elementary school has forced their children...

The LA Unified Board of Education’s first open meeting of the new year was scheduled to convene at 1 p.m. with a variety of items on the agenda. Earlier, the board met in closed session. For that agenda, click here. For the 1 p.m. board agenda, click here, and for board materials, here. Click here for LIVESTREAM COVERAGE

Rebranding is not just for discount stores, fast food chains and soda anymore. How about for a school district? To change the public perception of a project at the center of LA Unified’s two ill-fated programs — iPads and MiSiS –Superintendent Ramon Cortines is renaming the Common Core Technology Project. It now goes by the...

With Gov. Jerry Brown‘s new budget offering little in the way of funding for new school construction projects, a group has announced a plan to gather signatures for placing a $9 billion school construction bond on the November 2016 ballot. The Coalition for Adequate School Housing (C.A.S.H.), an alliance of school districts and construction groups...

A report from the U.S. Education Department on the district’s troubled $1.3 billion iPad program and gitchy MiSiS computer system had few positive things to say, as it found problems in both efforts with their planning, execution and metrics for success. The report, which was requested by LA Unified Superintendent Ramon Cortines, found that the...

Former LA Unified Superintendent John Deasy will be working as a consultant for The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems as a “superintendent-in-residence.” The center is a leadership academy for school administrators, which is funded by Eli Broad, a longtime Deasy supporter and powerful financier of California education reform efforts. Deasy resigned in October under...

Budget lifts teacher preparation oversight The state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing would receive a fiscal boost from the general fund as part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal. SI&A Cabinet Report Preschool advocates seek more funding Advocates for expanding preschool to low-income 4-year-olds were disappointed with the 4,000 additional enrollment slots proposed by Gov. Jerry...

LA Unified doesn’t track how many undocumented students are enrolled in the district, but a new resolution could pave the way for providing legal aid to a small number of unaccompanied minors at their deportation proceedings. The school board will vote tomorrow to approve a program called AYUDA – Advocating for Youth Unaccompanied in Deportation...

LA Unified board member Steve Zimmer is asking the board to weigh in on a legal battle between a major fruit company and the United Farm Workers (UFW) union. Gerawan Farming, one of the country’s largest suppliers of peaches, plums and other fruit, has had contracts with LA Unified and is under consideration for future...