This commentary is written in response to Ellie Herman’s commentary last week, asking why policy makers don’t listen more to teachers. By Larry Sand Why aren’t we listening? Well, in fact we are. There are organizations whose members include current and former teachers. Teach Plus, Educators 4 Excellence and StudentsFirst take positions on education policy...

LA School Report will cover the LAUSD School Board meeting live today starting at 9:00 a.m. until it retires for a closed door session. Click here for LIVESTREAM coverage. Starting at 2 p.m. in the afternoon, the school board’s Committee of the Whole Meeting will convene.     For board agenda, click here. For board materials,...

Not all of the seven candidates vying for the vacant seat on the Los Angeles Unified school board are turning up the heat as the special election on June 3 heads to the finish line. To reach voters in South LA’s District 1, which as been without a board member since Marguerite LaMotte died in December, four...

* UPDATED Among the seven candidates running for LA Unified’s District 1 board seat, Alex Johnson, a senior deputy for LA County Supervisor Mark-Ridley Thomas, is one of the most heavily endorsed candidates in the race. His long list of supporters may appear impressive, perhaps due to his boss’ powerful connections. But a closer look reveals...

Conspicuous by their absence from last week’s school board meeting were representatives from UTLA, the teachers union, discussing a new contract. While many of the labor partners who work with LA Unified have begin contract talks or submitted their opening proposals, UTLA has maintained radio silence. At least, that’s how it appears to the public....

The problem for girls is boys. Several years ago Elizabeth Hicks, a counseling coordinator for LA Unified, had an idea, to open the first all-girls traditional public school in California in more than a decade. It would be a rigorous STEM academy, requiring girls to take science, math and computer classes from sixth grade through...

Barbara Torres, the president of SEIU 99, one of the most powerful unions in the Los Angeles school district, said today she is stepping aside in the 2015 race for school board in District 5, currently held by school board member Bennett Kayser. Torres said she made her decision after a story in LA School Report...

This just in from the LA City Clerk’s Office: Monday is the deadline to register for any LA Unified District 1 resident who intends to vote in the June 3 special election. Registrants must be a citizen of the United States, live within the school district, be 18 years old by Election Day and not be...

They’re baaaaaack. The seven candidates for LA Unified’s open District 1 seat are gathering again tomorrow for another forum to address answer questions  and address issues facing the district. Sponsored by community groups and the host site, Holman United Methodist Church, located in south-central LA, the event will honor the 60th anniversary of the Supreme...