Five years ago, as Jaime Aquino was leaving his post as chief academic officer of Denver public schools, a reporter asked him his thoughts on how to improve public education. His response: national standards, coupled with national assessments. But Aquino told the reporter, “I will never see this in my lifetime.’” Fast forward to 2013....

In case you missed it, here’s an Orange County Register editorial about LAUSD School Board Member Monica Ratliff.     Editorial: Don’t try to be all things to all students More flexibility in enrollment could raise performance all by itself. At a workshop last week for United Teachers Los Angeles, the union representing teachers in the Los...

Today, in Part Two of Vanessa Romo’s interview with LA Unified Superintendent John Deasy, he talks about the year ahead as schools open today, the district’s new iPad program and local spending formulas. He also talks about his personal reading habits, which do not include a certain new digital device. Q: What are some of...

The two biggest statewide teachers unions — California Teachers Association (CTA) and California Federation of Teachers (CFT) — have problems with the waivers granted to eight school districts from the federal program, No Child Left Behind. The objections, however, are more about how they came about than what they mean. “My guess is that there...

Nearly two dozen LA Unified schools were cited by state education officials on Friday as schools where social media postings occurred during recent statewide tests. In a news release, they identified two schools — Alexander Hamilton Senior High and Alliance Cindy and Bill Simon Technology Academy High – where the postings showed legible test questions...

Look, sometimes it’s tough being famous. People crave what you have to say. They believe you when you espouse certain opinions. They trust you. They like to think you’re a Celebrity of Your Word. But then there’s that touchy issue of education. Hmm. Yes, you’re a huge supporter of public schools . . . but...

As the summer break winds to a close and schools open on Tuesday, the LA Unified School District finds itself in the usual swirl of change and challenge. Here are 10 questions to think about as the year unfolds. Consider it the first exam of 2013-2014: 1) Will Superintendent John Deasy really stay? He said...