Which Way, L.A.?
Federal Finance Reform; California Losing Race to the Top
Fifteen states have won federal Race-to-the-Top money for school reform, but not California. That's $700 million in much-needed funds the state won't get. We ask the Superintendent of Public Instruction and others, what happened? On our rebroadcast of To the Point, the taxpayer bailout of banks that were "too big to fail" was followed up with the promise of finance reform to protect consumers.
By Warren Olney • • 54m ListenThe results are in, and California's a loser in President Obama's Race to the Top for education reform. We talk with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Also, an update on today's "Day of Action," a national protest over school budget cuts and tuition increases that started in California. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the taxpayer bailout of banks that were "too big to fail" was followed up with the promise of finance reform to protect consumers. But a sweeping House measure is stalled in the Senate. Are lobbyists destroying its chances with Democrats as well as Republicans?
Banner image: Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announces Race to the Top finalists
In this episode
3 storiesWhatever Happened to Finance Reform?
It's more than a year since the collapse of Lehman Brothers signaled the start of the Great Recession. The Obama Administration proposed a financial overhaul and the House passed sweeping reforms. But now they're bogged down in the Senate.
Read the story37 minWhy Is California Losing the Race to the Top?
President Obama set aside $4.3 billion for education reform and told states to compete in what he called, the Race to the Top . Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature battled for weeks before enacting a package of new laws , in the hopes of winning $700 million in federal dollars. Today, 16 winning states were announced out of 41 that…
Read the story12 minCalifornia Students and Faculty Protest Education Cuts
Today was a " Day of Action " across the country, with 100 protests in 32 states, a national demonstration that started in California. It's all about massive cuts in public universities and colleges, along with dramatic increases in fees and tuition. Anthony Francoso is a Sociology Lecturer at Cal State LA and a member of the California Faculty…
Read the story5 min
