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Two More “Parent Triggers” in the Works
Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., the decision of the parents over the fate of 24th Street Elementary School is scheduled to be announced at a park near the school. The decision will be based on a vote of the 369 parents who signed the original parent trigger petition, according to the LA Weekly. Whichever of the...
By Alexander Russo | April 9, 2013
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Teacher Misconduct Proposal Wins Unexpected Support
While a recent Daily News headline described LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan’s new “teacher jail” proposal as an “overhaul” of the current system, the resolution is probably best described as an effort at streamlining the process. Slated for a vote at next Tuesday’s Board meeting, the Galatzan resolution would shorten the time it takes to inform teachers what...
By Hillel Aron | April 9, 2013
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Suspension Rates Vary Widely Among Schools
A new report released by UCLA’s Civil Rights Project adds to a growing collection of data that makes the case against using suspensions and so-called “zero tolerance” policies to discipline middle and high school students. The new report, which looked at middle and high schools across the country, finds significant discipline gaps between white, black,...
By Samantha Oltman | April 9, 2013
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More Details about Preschool Security Enhancements
What kind of fancy new technology can LAUSD preschools expect with the recent $7 million plan in security upgrades approved by the school board? It turns out that the preschools already have a basic security system in place , so the new funds will be used to modernize the schools that could use an upgrade or to...
By Amy Silverstein | April 8, 2013
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Reform Coalition Announces Voter Education Meeting
Last week, the Coalition for School Reform announced a new spokesperson would be taking over for the May 21 runoff between District 6 candidates Monica Ratliff and Antonio Sanchez. The reform-oriented independent expenditure committee has also fired up its Twitter feed (@ReformLAUSD), begun training a new set of campaign organizers (pictured), and announced its first voter...
By Alexander Russo | April 8, 2013
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Board Members Split on Mayoral Endorsements
On Friday, School Board member Tamar Galatzan endorsed Mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti. The moved represented the first major endorsement for Garcetti from a so-called “school reformer,” and was something of a surprise since most Valley-based politicians have been supporting Garcetti’s opponent, Wendy Greuel. Greuel, has been endorsed by three Board members: Monica Garcia, Nury Martinez and Dr. Richard...
By Hillel Aron | April 8, 2013
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Watch: Superintendent Deasy at Loyola Marymount
LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy spoke at Saturday’s TEDx event at Loyola Marymount University. Deasy’s remarks — initially delivered from one of those old-fashioned classroom desk/seat combinations — begin at the 54:00 mark. Click here to see a list of other speakers.
By Alexander Russo | April 8, 2013
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Weekend Roundup: April 5-6
Can’t live without education news between Friday and Monday? Check in here for news you might have missed or interesting tidbits that come in over the weekend: [widgets_on_pages id=”Twitter Live Posts”] As always, retweets (RTs) aren’t endorsements — just interesting items that we’re passing along.
By Alexander Russo | April 6, 2013
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Union Intervention Could Delay Tenure Lawsuit
Last week, the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit Vergara v. State of California, which seeks to overturn five education laws in California (seniority-based layoffs, teacher tenure, and three dismissal statutes that make firing a teacher so onerous). “This lawsuit is baseless and...
By Hillel Aron | April 5, 2013
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Mixed Reactions to New Teacher Dismissal Bill
AB 375, a new bill meant to streamline teacher dismissals, could be headed for quick passage after clearing the State Assembly’s Education Committee with a 7 – 0 vote Thursday. The bill’s chance at passing is undoubtedly aided by the announcement last week that the state’s largest teachers union, the California Teachers Association, was joining...
By Samantha Oltman | April 5, 2013