Top Stories and Commentary for Monday, August 31, 2009
LAUSD schools choice initiative a jolt to system
By Connie Llanos/Los Angeles Daily News
Los Angeles Unified may have opened its gates for independent operators to run up to a third of its campuses, but the key players - including the influential teachers union - […]
Top Stories and Commentary for Friday, August 28, 2009
Legislature discusses removing ‘firewall’ between student data and teacher evaluations
By Sharon Noguchi/San Jose Mercury News
To make California schools eligible for more federal stimulus funds, the state Legislature took up bills Thursday to change the state law governing the use of student data. Sen. Gloria […]
Top Stories and Commentary for Thursday, August 27, 2009
State legislators vow to qualify for U.S. education grants
By Timm Herdt/Ventura County Star
California’s top educational and political leaders on Wednesday promised the state will do all it can to qualify for a share of more than $4 billion in competitive federal […]
Top Stories and Commentary for Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Vote could open 250 L.A. schools to outside operators
Backers of the Board of Education decision tout choice and competition. Foes call the move illegal, illogical and improper. By Howard Blume and Jason Song/Los Angeles Times
In a startling acknowledgment that the Los Angeles school […]
Top Stories and Commentary for Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Exploring a community’s needs, students vow to “change this place”
By Evelyn Padilla/Intersections
When Isaac Jimenez, a Wilson High School senior, finished the school year last May, he could have chosen to enjoy his summer break. But instead he opted to spend five weeks […]
Top Stories and Commentary for Monday, August 24, 2009
Reform ABCs
Editorial/Riverside Press-Enteprise
The cause of education reform needs a higher-level goal than grabbing federal dollars. California schools could benefit from a thorough overhaul of financing and governance, but the state will not get there by following the governor’s latest road map. The state’s education […]
Top Stories and Commentary for Friday, August 21, 2009
Schwarzenegger’s plan would reshape education in California
The state’s powerful teachers unions criticize the governor’s sweeping proposals, including merit pay for teachers. The plan would help qualify the state for Obama administration funds. By Jason Song and Jason Felch/Los Angeles Times
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called […]
Top Stories and Commentary for Thursday, August 20, 2009
LA students to City Council: Fix our schools, neighborhoods
By Evelyn Padilla/Intersections
A group of 25 high school students, dressed in their Sunday best, prepared to present the findings from a busy summer of research conducted across the city. Their message was simple to the […]
Top Stories and Commentary for Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Improved college prep curriculum could send more South LA students to college
By Jacqueline Howard/Intersections
As high school graduates across the country pack their bags this month for their first year of college, a South Los Angeles advocacy group hopes more youth from […]
Top Stories and Commentary for Tuesday, August 18, 2009
California test results show solid academic gains
By Terence Chea/San Francisco Chronicle
California students made solid gains on standardized tests for English and math over the past year, but made little progress in narrowing the achievement gap between racial groups, according to data released Tuesday by […]