- Social:
California Federation of Teachers
President, and former Vice President, of the California Federation of Teachers
PROFILE
Joshua Pechthalt
Guest
FROM Joshua Pechthalt
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Making L.A.: Education “Sprawling” might be the word most used to describe Los Angeles. The city has a school system to match. There are more than 900 schools in the L.A. Unified School District and more than 600,000 students. Los Angeles also has more charter schools than any district in the country. Some say that’s bad news—that it’s a threat to the public school system in the long run. Others say they offer a much-needed alternative. Either way, there’s no doubt charters have changed public education here in L.A. On today’s installment of our Making L.A. series : Education. Photo: Clotee Allochuku
Which Way, L.A.?
Failing Grades for Teacher Protection A case decided today in Los Angeles may not be over until it reaches the US Supreme Court. Judge Rolf Treu said teacher tenure laws and the practice called "last hired-first fired" deprive some students of their constitutional right to an equal education. That's a big victory — temporarily at least — for education reformers. Both sides in Vergara v. California have said they'd appeal a decision that didn't go their way. We hear from Marcellus Mcrae, with Gibson-Dunn, the lead co-counsel for the nine plaintiffs , and from Joshua Pechthalt, president of the California Federation of Teachers .
Which Way, L.A.?
Rights of Teachers and Students: Can a Judge Find Balance? The fight over education reform went to court today in Los Angeles. State laws, backed by teachers' unions, are accused of violating the State Constitution — by depriving kids of the right to a good education — especially poor and minority children. Students Matter, a nonprofit backed by a Silicon Valley millionaire, has sued the state , including the Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Which Way, L.A.?
Governor Brown, Molly Munger and the Future of Public Education Between now and election day in November, we'll be hearing a lot about the fate of public education in California. Two ballot measures are competing to increase taxes and distribute the new revenues in different ways. There is no question that the proposals are serious or that the stakes are high. Proposition 30 was placed on the ballot by Governor Jerry Brown. Prop 38 is the creation of a wealthy Los Angeles lawyer named Molly Munger . Both have appeared before editorial boards of major newspapers, including the Sacramento Bee , where Dan Morain is a senior editor. We hear from him and advocates for each measure.
Which Way, L.A.?
California Voters Have a Message Sacramento May Not Want to Hear With the least number of possible votes, the Legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger put six measures on a special election that will take place in just three weeks. They would implement the budget deal worked out in one of the longest and most acrimonious sessions in state history. Today, the Field Poll released survey results which indicate that it will be a “send-them-a-message election.” Proposition 1a : Limits State Spending, Establishes Rainy Day Stabilization Fund Proposition 1b : Education Funding Proposition 1c : Lottery Modernization Act Proposition 1d : Protects Children’s Services Funding Proposition 1e : Mental Health Services Funding Proposition 1f : Elected Officials’ Salaries
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