United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA)

September 28, 2020

Some schools now open for small special education classes

Debate swirls over safety and liability as some high-needs students head back to the classroom.

Carolyn Jones

August 10, 2020

Los Angeles is ground zero for the interpretation of California’s new charter schools law

Charter schools and district leaders in Los Angeles are at odds over a law giving districts more authority to reject charter schools.

Michael Burke

August 3, 2020

Los Angeles Unified reaches deal with teachers over distance learning while other districts struggle to finalize plans

As L.A. Unified finalized its distance learning plans, Oakland Unified and other districts were still negotiating with their teachers.

Michael Burke

June 24, 2020

Pandemic reveals how much California needs more community schools

Model expands the ability of schools to support students and their families in multiple ways.

Julio Angel Alicea

June 24, 2020

Measures to defund, reform Los Angeles school police rejected by school board

Disappointing activists, L.A. Unified rejected motions to reform school police, including one to cut the department’s funding by 90%.

Michael Burke

May 20, 2020

Students, parents need more say in how distance learning is implemented

Transition to distance learning might have been less bumpy if parents and students were consulted.

Evelyn G. Alemán

May 4, 2020

Can California schools put safety measures in place in time to open early? Many district leaders skeptical

The unexpected announcement from Gov. Gavin Newsom that schools should consider resuming as early as late July was met with immediate pushback.

Diana Lambert And John Fensterwald

April 13, 2020

Los Angeles plans for virtual summer school as district officially ends in-person classes for rest of school year

LA Unified schools is planning to offer virtual summer school to all students to make up for lost learning as the district officially ends in-person instruction for this school year and offers online learning.

Michael Burke

April 9, 2020

LA Unified, teachers’ union reach agreement over distance learning guidelines

Teachers have flexibility under the deal, which outlines how distance learning will continue for the rest of the school year.

Michael Burke

March 4, 2020

Los Angeles school board races appear headed for runoff elections

Jackie Goldberg is headed toward reelection to the Los Angeles school board, but two other races likely won't be decided until the fall.

Michael Burke

February 26, 2020

Charter school politics still in play in LA Unified school board elections

A majority of school board seats in Los Angeles are on the ballot next week in a crucial election for the state’s largest school district.

Michael Burke

June 5, 2019

Los Angeles voters decisively reject parcel tax that would have raised $500 million annually for schools

In major setback for efforts to salvage LA Unified's finances, Measure EE fails to get even half of voters' support, falling far short of the two-thirds threshold needed for victory.

Michael Burke

June 3, 2019

To pass parcel tax, Los Angeles Unified will need to break with history

Only about 1 in 8 districts in California have ever passed a parcel tax. Most of those districts don't have much in common with LAUSD.

Michael Burke

May 22, 2019

Jackie Goldberg pushes parcel tax measure at LAUSD board swearing-in ceremony

Swearing-in ceremony to a seat on the Los Angeles school board becomes opportunity for Jackie Goldberg to urge support for parcel tax.

Michael Burke

February 19, 2019

California’s school funding flaws make it difficult for districts to meet teacher demands

As Oakland teachers prepare for a strike, a state arbitrator points to a range of factors, such as basing state funding on attendance rather than enrollments, a disproportionate concentration of charter schools in urban districts and high special education and pension costs as potential stumbling blocks to reaching an agreement not only in Oakland but in other districts experiencing labor turmoil.

Louis Freedberg