Los Angeles Times
Editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times, covering education, and parent of a high school junior
PROFILE
Karin Klein
Guest
FROM Karin Klein
Which Way, L.A.?
After the iPads: What's Next for LA Unified? John Deasy has resigned as Superintendent of LA Unified, and Interim successor Ramon Cortines says the District can't afford to continue Deasy's discredited program of iPads-for-Everybody. It's now the subject of a federal criminal investigation. But here's a headline from an editorial in today's LA Times: " LAUSD should try again on supplying computers ."
Which Way, L.A.?
Will LA Unified Flunk Its Superintendent? John Deasy has been Superintendent of LA Unified for three and a half years—weathering storms over iPads and, most recently, a disaster in class scheduling. But graduation rates are up, and more minority kids are enrolled in Advanced Placement. Tomorrow, the elected school board begins his annual evaluation, and tonight we’ll hear why he’s so controversial.
Which Way, L.A.?
Common Core: For Better or Worse As the father of children in New York public schools, comedian Louis CK has become a poster-parent for protest against Common Core . That's the new federally approved program of educational standards designed to produce the critical thinking and analytical skills required for success in the global economy. Louis CK says, "My kids used to love math. Now it makes them cry." California has adopted the Common Core standards for public schools but not for everybody. Tests are being given this year in grades three through eight and 11 — but no results will be made public. In fact, the tests themselves are being tested.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Saying "No" to the Test High school students across California are sitting down to take pilot versions of a new statewide exam. It’s designed to fit with the Common Core State Standards, a new curriculum that’s supposed to encourage critical thinking over rote memorization. We’ll hear why L.A. Times editorial writer Karin Klein has asked her 16-year-old daughter to opt-out of the testing.
Which Way, L.A.?
Raising Taxes to Fund Schools In San Marino, La Canada-Flintridge and South Pasadena, two thirds of the voters have approved new taxes for schools. At the same time in Pasadena Unified, 52% went along, but that wasn't enough to meet the two-thirds requirement. Yesterday, in Santa Monica/Malibu Unified, the Measure A parcel tax got 63%, a much bigger majority but again, not enough to win. On June 8, voters in the City of Los Angeles will decide on Measure E , which would allow the LA Unified School District to levy a temporary $100 annual education parcel tax.
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To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?