LA School Report

It may not have been the best of years or the worst of years, but 2013 was certainly among the most interesting of years for education-watchers in Los Angeles. Here are some of our favorite highs and lows of the year at LA Unified.

When 2013 comes to a close, LA Unified will stop offering GED tests over concerns about cost and computer-only access. Until the state chooses an alternative that provides a version with paper-and-pencil, degree seekers will have to visit schools outside the district. “The populations that we serve, especially the adults, are among those who need...

How much do you know about the Common Core Standards? Choose all that apply. The Common Core is: a) a new set of nationwide standards that will encourage deep thinking instead of rote memorization b) a new round of edu-crap, like No Child Left Behind c) replacing state standards in 45 states including California d) causing...

Without any debate on Tuesday, the LA Unified school board approved five new charter schools and renewed eight existing charters. One other renewal came with an asterisk: The Alliance Ouchi-O’Donovan 6-12 Complex, a low-performing middle school and high performing high school that merged this year, was asked to return next year for a review after...

State’s largest urban districts post gains on national assessment Three of California’s largest school districts showed gains on a national assessment of urban districts that also singled out Los Angeles and Fresno Unified for special recognition from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. EdSource Network upgrades to push up cost of LA schools’ massive iPad...

LA Unified students showed significant gains in the National Assessment of Educational Progress, according to data released today. Fourth-grade students recorded the highest gain – four points— among 21 urban school systems since 2011; fourth-graders also scored higher in math, and eighth-graders scored higher in reading. “I’m proud of the performance of our youth,” Superintendent...