Mariana Dale
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Stories about K-12 education for @laist (formerly KPCC). @LAistUnion proud. Forever Arizonan with a cactus heart. mdale – at – scpr – dot – org
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Articles by Mariana Dale
Deadline looms for school districts to put property tax measures on the ballot
One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today . With students are out of school, district leaders across L.A. County are deciding whether to ask voters to approve property tax increases this November to fund repairs and renovations. District governing boards have until Aug. 7 to call for ballot measures.
A giant pop-up book unfolds at LA’s Central Library
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . A pop-up book that’s seeking to break the world record for size has unfolded at the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles. The art piece is 31 feet wide, more than 11 feet tall, and weighs in at 1,800 pounds.
LA County officials say LAUSD risks insolvency at current spending levels
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . L.A. County education officials have warned Los Angeles Unified leaders that the district is at risk of financial insolvency — and the loss of local control — without immediate changes to the budget for next year.
Inglewood leaders are one step closer to taking back control of local schools
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Inglewood Unified is one step closer to independence more than a decade after the state took over the school district amid a financial crisis. A July report found the district has improved its financial and facilities management enough to operate independently.
The World Cup is bringing LA's Norwegians together. You can row with them too
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Norway’s historic World Cup performance has brought together Southern California’s relatively small, but spirited Norwegian community.
Deadline nears for LAUSD Boyle Heights families to apply for $250 in cash aid
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Boyle Heights families of school age children impacted by the warehouse fire have until Wednesday afternoon to apply for $250 cash assistance payments. The money comes from the LAUSD Education Foundation’s “ ,” a mixture of donations from individuals and the California Community Foundation.
California could start testing kindergarteners in math
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . California could begin testing students as early as kindergarten in math. Proponents of , including state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson, say the goal is to identify students who are falling behind in math early so they can get help. More than perform below the benchmark on the state’s standardized math test.
Kindergarten math test
Two federal agents in blue jackets stand on David Streever's porch at his home in Rochester, N.Y. About the lawsuit: Filed by the nonprofit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression on Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C., the lawsuit argues that Streever's January email was protected speech and the federal agents' and their superiors violated Streever's First Amendment rights.
For the first time in a decade, an LAUSD insider holds the top job
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Andrés Chait has worked in the Los Angeles Unified School District for nearly 30 years and has never tried the district’s famous coffee cake.
LAUSD Board Appoints Longtime Administrator Andres Chait as Next Superintendent Original
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The Los Angeles Unified Board voted unanimously to appoint Andres Chait, a longtime district administrator, as superintendent days after his predecessor resigned. “This board’s decision reflects the confidence in Mr. Chait’s leadership, his decades of service to Los Angeles Unified, and his demonstrated ability to guide the district during this period of transition,” said board President Scott Schmerelson.
LAUSD Board Appoints Longtime Administrator Andres Chait as Next Superintendent
The next evolution of digital payments is emerging Paying is getting faster, cheaper, and increasingly invisible. The digital payments industry is in the middle of its second revolution. The first one, …
LAUSD's new screen time rules: No device time for youngest students, more limits for older grades
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . The Los Angeles Unified School Board unanimously approved a policy Tuesday to limit student screen time starting in August. The decision follows a board vote in the spring that required the district to create a policy to set up guardrails on the amount of time students should spend in front of a digital device.
Alberto Carvalho Resigns as LAUSD Superintendent After Four Months on Leave
Your donation will help us produce journalism like this. Please give today. This story was originally published on LAist. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has resigned as leader of the Los Angeles Unified School District. (Getty Images) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has resigned as leader of the Los Angeles Unified School District, four months after the FBI searched his home and office.
LAUSD considers $21 billion spending plan. The problem: revenue isn’t keeping up
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . The Los Angeles Unified School Board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a nearly $21 billion spending plan for the next school year. The budget includes raises, class size reductions and increased mental health support that are part of new contracts with the district’s largest labor unions.
Alberto Carvalho Resigns as LAUSD Superintendent After Four Months on Leave Original
Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has resigned as leader of the Los Angeles Unified School District, four months after the FBI searched his home and office. A district spokesperson confirmed a letter of resignation from Carvalho on Sunday night. The reason for the timing wasn’t immediately clear.
Alberto Carvalho resigns as LAUSD superintendent after four months on leave
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has resigned as leader of the Los Angeles Unified School District, four months after the FBI searched his home and office. A district spokesperson confirmed a letter of resignation from Carvalho on Sunday night. The reason for the timing wasn’t immediately clear.
LAUSD's next budget: Will there be any way to stem pain to important programs?
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . When the Los Angeles Unified School Board voted in May to finalize the elimination of more than 650 jobs as part of a plan to cut spending, its leaders promised more painful decisions would be necessary.
LAUSD takes Cesar Chavez's name off two schools following community votes
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Los Angeles Unified has renamed two campuses previously named for Cesar Chavez. The move follows a New York Times investigation that found the famed labor leader sexually abused girls and women. The board voted to rename the schools Friday following town hall meetings and among staff, students and parents at .
Duarte students uncover the history of a community buried by freeways Original
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . While implementation of California’s high school ethnic studies mandate has stalled, districts are rolling out classes that encourage students to explore the lesser-told histories of their communities.
LA Mayor Race: Raman Passes Pratt in Quest for Second-Place Slot
LAist Home / Politics City Councilmember Nithya Raman passed Spencer Pratt in the primary contest for L.A. mayor after vote returns counted Sunday. Jun 8, 2026 Los Angeles mayoral candidate Nithya Raman smiles during her election night party at Boomtown Brewery on June 2, 2026, in Los Angeles, California.
Raman overtakes Pratt for second place in LA Mayor’s race
LA City Councilmember Nithya Raman introduces her first set of mayoral campaign policies to build affordable and market rate housing at a press conference in Barnsdall Art Park on Wednesday March 25, 2026. Photo by Jireh Deng. This article was produced by the nonprofit journalism publication LAist. It is co-published here with permission.
Take advantage of your kids’ World Cup excitement with these family-friendly LA activities
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . The World Cup already is a massive undertaking for organizers. So imagine what it would take for families to brave the traffic, parking and crowds for one of the eight tournament matches at SoFi Stadium this summer.
California youth on track to make up a larger share of 2026 primary electorate
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Young California voters are on track to make up a larger share of the 2026 primary electorate compared to the 2022 primary, according to an analysis of ballots counted so far . As of Thursday, voters aged 18–34 accounted for 13% of all ballots counted. That’s a 4 percentage point increase from the 2022 primary at this time.
LAUSD school board incumbents notch victories in 2026 primary
Incumbents Rocío Rivas and Nick Melvoin will join unopposed incumbent Kelly Gonez in retaining their seats on the Los Angeles Unified School District Board. The LAUSD Board oversees the nation’s second-largest school district, with more than 390,000 students enrolled from transitional kindergarten through the 12th grade. The district is also the county’s second-largest employer, with more than 83,000 educators, administrators and support staff on its payroll.
LAUSD board finalizes hundreds of job cuts, previews future reductions
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Why now: Thursday’s vote finalizes preliminary layoff notices issued earlier this year to information technology workers, office technicians and staff that support parents and families.
How One South L.A. School Teaches the ‘Nitty-Gritty’ Work of Democracy | LA School Report
Your donation will help us produce journalism like this. Please give today. Joel Snyder teachers government and economics at Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School in L.A.’s Florence-Firestone neighborhood. (Mariana Dale/LAist) This story was originally published on LAist. When Eduardo Mira started his senior year at Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School, he thought politics was a “fool’s game.” “All I saw from the media was just negativity and division and, like, political violence,” Mira said.
How one South LA school teaches the ‘nitty-gritty’ work of democracy
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . When Eduardo Mira started his senior year at Ánimo Pat Brown Charter High School, he thought politics was a “fool’s game.” “All I saw from the media was just negativity and division and, like, political violence,” Mira said.
A decade after California let some teens pre-register to vote, few are signing up
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Californians can’t cast a ballot until they turn 18, but for the past decade 16- and 17-year-olds have been able to pre-register to vote and be automatically added to the rolls on their 18th birthday.
Feds open investigation into LAUSD employee misconduct policy
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Why now: The department accuses the district of maintaining a policy that “automatically” reassigns teachers to other schools when they are accused of sexual misconduct with students and cites a .
Los Angeles Unified School Board District 4: Who's running in the June 2 primary and why it matters
What’s at stake in this race The Los Angeles Unified School Board oversees the nation’s second-largest school district, with more than 390,000 students enrolled from transitional kindergarten through the 12th grade. The district is also the county’s second-largest employer, with more than 83,000 educators, administrators and support staff on its payroll.
Los Angeles Unified School Board District 6: Who's running in the June 2 primary and why it matters
What’s at stake in this race The Los Angeles Unified School Board oversees the nation’s second-largest school district, with more than 390,000 students enrolled from transitional kindergarten through the 12th grade. The district is also the county’s second-largest employer, with more than 83,000 educators, administrators and support staff on its payroll.
Los Angeles Unified School Board District 2: Who's running in the June 2 primary and why it matters
What’s at stake in this race The Los Angeles Unified School Board oversees the nation’s second-largest school district, with more than 390,000 students enrolled from transitional kindergarten through the 12th grade. The district is also the county’s second-largest employer, with more than 83,000 educators, administrators and support staff on its payroll.
California voters greenlit billions of dollars to fix schools. How much has it helped?
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Nearly two years after California voters approved billions of dollars in bond money to repair aging schools, demand has outstripped the available funds.
Advocates call for labor, immigrant protections this May Day: ‘solo el pueblo shuts it down’
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . National and local organizers are calling on communities to Friday in recognition of May Day. The “economic blackout” is modeled after following the surge of immigration enforcement and shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens.
LAUSD athletic fields need to be replaced, and you can help decide turf vs. natural grass
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . The Los Angeles Unified School District is weighing the future of its artificial turf and natural grass athletic fields. The district is in the midst of a study and collecting feedback from parents, students, staff and other stakeholders.
LAUSD reaches deal with staff union, averting strike and keeping schools open
By Mariana Dale for LAist Originally published April 14, 2026 Los Angeles Unified support staff reached a labor deal with the district early Tuesday morning, hours before a strike was set to begin — meaning schools will remain open for nearly 400,000 students. “The tentative agreement makes strides in addressing key issues raised by school workers in negotiations,” SEIU Local 99 said in a statement Tuesday morning.
LAUSD reaches deal with staff union, averting strike and keeping schools open
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Los Angeles Unified support staff have reached a labor deal with the district early Tuesday morning, hours before a strike was set to begin — meaning that schools will remain open for nearly 400,000 students. Two days after with its teachers union and its principals union, the district tentatively agreed on a contract with SEIU Local 99.
LA Unified School District reaches tentative labor deal with teachers
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Los Angeles Unified teachers have reached a labor deal with the district. In a news statement, Los Angeles Unified announced a tentative two-year agreement has been struck with the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) on Sunday. The deal increases salary scales by 11.65% and increases the beginning teacher salary to $77,000 per year.
Next week’s LAUSD strike could close schools indefinitely. Here's what to know
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . Los Angeles Unified teachers, support staff and principals are days away from a strike that would likely shut down schools starting Tuesday. The unions, who represent about 68,000 employees collectively, say the walkout is a last resort after more than a year of negotiations over pay, benefits and school conditions.
New LA play tells the story of Dolores Huerta’s endurance for all ages
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . In mid-March, the cast and crew behind a new play about the life of labor leader Dolores Huerta and the rise of the farmworker movement were preparing for their debut.
Why Mitski is bringing her sold-out tour to an LAUSD high school
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today . This week, indie musician Mitski is playing a series of sold out shows at an unexpected L.A. venue: Hollywood High School’s auditorium. For the students, it’s an opportunity to see a beloved artist at “our freaking school.” For the school, it’s a continuation of a “world famous” arts legacy.
District attorney files felony charges against former LAUSD employee over IT contracts
You value independent local news, so become a sustainer today to power our newsroom. The L.A. County District Attorney alleges a former Los Angeles Unified information technology employee illegally helped a tech company win more than $22 million in district contracts. Prosecutors say the case is “one of the largest money laundering schemes” in the district’s history.
LAUSD board votes to change school names, art tied to César Chávez
You value independent local news, so become a sustainer today to power our newsroom. The backstory: A published last week found Chávez sexually abused girls and women including United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta. LAUSD leaders respond: Board Member Kelly Gonez introduced the resolution through tears.
LAUSD board members call to rename schools honoring César Chávez
If you value independent local news, become a sustainer today . Your gift could help unlock a $1M challenge. The Los Angeles Unified board members who represent schools named for César Chávez are calling for their renaming.
LAUSD's teacher and staff unions will strike if no deal is reached by mid-April Original
If you value independent local news, become a sustainer today . Your gift could help unlock a $1M challenge. The unions representing Los Angeles Unified teachers and support staff have given the district until April 14 to reach a deal amid stalled contract negotiations over pay and benefits. A strike could still be averted if the unions reach a deal with the district before the unions' "red line." The strike dates were announced at a rally Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles.
LAUSD's temporary leader faces possible strike, key budget decisions
If you value independent local news, become a sustainer today . Your gift could help unlock a $1M challenge. As the federal investigation related to Los Angeles Unified’s superintendent continues, the district’s acting leader and the elected board face key decisions about the district’s finances and negotiations with unions poised to strike.
LAUSD's suspended superintendent seeks return after FBI raids
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. The suspended leader of the Los Angeles Unified School District says he acted lawfully and has asked to be restored to his position.
A week after the FBI raided the LAUSD superintendent's home, why isn't the cause public?
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. One week after the FBI searched the home and office of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, leader of the Los Angeles Unified School District, there are few public details about the justification for the searches and the underlying investigation. The reason for the searches is still unknown.
Acting LAUSD superintendent gives first public comments, says ‘teaching and learning will continue’
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. Longtime administrator Andres Chait addressed the public as acting superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District for the first time Monday. “ We remain committed to academic excellence and student wellbeing,” he said ahead of a closed board meeting to discuss his employment and ongoing labor negotiations with district unions.
LAUSD board places superintendent on leave following federal searches
This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. The backstory: The reason for the searches is unknown, although it has been the subject of widespread speculation. A DOJ spokesperson said the agency had a court-authorized warrant but declined to provide additional details. The FBI that the underlying affidavit remained under court-ordered seal.
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