Murals and Home Schooling: are they Endangered Species?

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Wall paintings are cultural landmarks in Los Angeles neighborhoods but the Department of Building and Safety is calling them illegal signs that have to be painted over. Home schooling is a growth industry in California. But it, too, may be at risk from an appellate court ruling that says parents need teaching credentials. With the case on its way to the State Supreme Court, how worried should home-schoolers be?

Main Topic

Court Ruling May Signal Changes For Homeschooling ()

In Lynnwood, a couple with eight children was referred to County protective services on various allegations including claims of physical abuse. Phillip and Mary Long were also home-schooling their children, and a lawyer appointed to represent two of the kids asked that they be required to attend public school, where their well-being could be monitored. A Superior court turned that down, but an appellate court over-ruled, going beyond that to decide that parents who home-school must have teaching credentials. That ruling is now being appealed to the State Supreme Court.

Guests:

• Martin Forte: Co-founder, Excellence in Education
• Luis Huerta: Professor of Public Policy and Education at Columbia University

Links:

• California R4 Private School Affidavit
• Ruling seen as a threat to many home-schooling families (LA Times)

Reporter's Notebook

A Tangle Of Art and Bureaucracy over LA’s Murals ()

Last December, an 18-by-45 foot mural appeared on a wall near the corner of Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Breed Street in the heart of Boyle Heights. But in January, the City’s Department of Building and Safety ordered the building owner to paint it over or face a possible fine and even some time in jail. He did what he was told without telling the artists.

Guests:

• Stash Maleski: Director, In Creative Unity; Production Manager, Boyle Heights Mural Pilot Program
• Judy Baca: Founder and Artistic Director of SPARC

Links:

• The Department of Cultural Affairs

Host

Warren Olney

Considered the dean of Southern California broadcast journalists, Warren tackles the issues Southern Californians care about. Expanding that concept, To the Point deals with issues of national concern and is on air in most major metropolitan markets across the country. On any day, you’ll hear a fast-paced, news-based talk show featuring multiple perspectives on a single major issue, with Newsmaker and Reporters Notebook features, as well. 

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Air Date

Live:

Produced by

Katie Cooper, Dan Konecky

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Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.