The Los Angeles Unified School District is facing a deficit of $500 billion, and it has told unions to choose between furloughs and layoffs. Federal stimulus money is all used up, but the Obama Administration has instituted what it calls the Race to the Top, which could mean more from Washington. Today, Superintendent Ramon Cortines joined Governor Schwarzenegger in supporting legislation to help qualify California for that assistance. The state Senate has passed legislation to show Washington it can both measure and improve the effectiveness of teachers and principals. Now the State Assembly has announced it will reconvene in December, a month early, to pass similar measures.
Is California Going the Wrong Way in the 'Race to the Top?'
Credits
Guests:
- Ramon Cortines - Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District
- Julia Brownley - Chair, California Assembly's Education Committee
- Michael Hiltzik - business columnist for the LA Times - @hiltzikm