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Experts in Vergara trial endure bumpy rides on the witness stand
As plaintiffs come down the home stretch in the landmark trial Vergara vs. California, attorneys for the nine-student litigants are attempting to underscore key points in their case by calling more expert witnesses. For two of them, at least, defense lawyers made it as challenging for them as they could today, peppering testimony with objections...
By Mark Harris | February 13, 2014
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A series of meetings planned to explain state’s new funding
In the next few months the LA Unified school board is set to make a number of critical decisions regarding the spending of new education dollars coming into the district. To prepare, both LAUSD officials and local advocacy groups are ramping up community engagement efforts to get public input on spending priorities. Communities for Los Angeles...
By Chase Niesner | February 13, 2014
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A bill to require CA school personnel to spot, report abuse
A Los Angeles state assembly member introduced a bill yesterday that would require formal training for all school employees on the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse. Assembly Bill 1432 is sponsored by Michael Gatto, a Democrat whose district includes Atwater Village, Burbank, Glendale, Hollywood, La Cañada, Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Montrose and...
By Vanessa Romo | February 13, 2014
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Vergara trial resumes today with more ‘expert’ testimony
The Vergara v California trial continues this morning, with Dan Goldhaber, an expert in education policy at the University of Washington, continuing his testimony after the court took a day off yesterday Following him, attorneys for the plaintiffs are expected to call more expert witnesses, including Sandi Jacobs, Vice President and Managing Director for State...
By LA School Report | February 13, 2014
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SF seen as model in bilingual education over English only
Via SF Chronicle | By Jill Tucker In the 15 years since voters essentially banned bilingual education in state schools, teaching English learners to read, write and do arithmetic first in their native language has nearly disappeared from California classrooms. Since Proposition 227 overwhelmingly passed in June 1998, it’s been all about learning English, first...
By LA School Report | February 13, 2014
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No testimony today in Vergara v California
Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu is taking a break today from the Vergara v California trial. Testimony resumes tomorrow with a returning witness, education policy expert Dan Goldhaber. Lawyers for the plaintiffs — nine students — are expected to conclude their case next week, turning things over to the defendants — the state and its...
By LA School Report | February 12, 2014
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More CA students taking Advanced Placement exams
The data from the College Board’s 10th Annual Advanced Placement Report to the Nation shows a steady increase in AP exam participation among California public high school students, with the state ranking sixth nationally in the quality of its scores. In 2013, 40.6 percent of California’s public high school graduates took at least one AP exam before graduation,...
By Chase Niesner | February 12, 2014
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LAUSD board denies renewal for two high-performing charter schools
In an unusual move, the LA Unified School Board voted yesterday to deny the renewal of two high-performing charter schools. The two schools, Aspire Antonio Maria Lugo Academy, a K-6 school, and Aspire Ollin University Preparatory Academy, a 6-12 school, are located in southeast Los Angeles, and both serve predominantly low-income, Latino students. Together, they serve...
By Vanessa Romo | February 12, 2014
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LA Unified board votes against a caretaker (twice) for vacant seat
The LA Unified school board on Tuesday quashed any chance for temporary representation for the 110 schools and nearly quarter million students in board District 1, twice defeating measures that would have appointed a non-voting caretaker. It was just the latest example of the inability of a school board, paralyzed by the absence of a...
By Vanessa Romo | February 12, 2014
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Vergara sisters recall teachers who inspired them to join lawsuit
Beatriz and Elizabeth Vergara, sisters at the center of a state lawsuit in their name, Vergara vs. California, took the witness stand today, describing chaotic classrooms with inattentive and hurtful teachers in their middle school. The sisters, who now attend high school at Cesar Chavez Learning Academies, an LA Unified school in San Fernando, are...
By Mark Harris | February 11, 2014