I commit to working to increase the amount of funding that goes to public education and specifically to students at their school site.” – Ankur Patel When choosing which politicians to back, the California Charter School Association (CCSA) seems to care more about how they will help them to avoid regulation than the candidates’ ethical […]
If Money Continues to Talk, We’re Screwed
In the congressional races in 2008, the candidate who had more money won more than 93% of the time. Our representatives don’t serve us; they serve the people who pay them — their corporate funders.” – Cenk Uygur The Republicans passed a tax bill despite the opposition of 55% of Americans. Now in an ass-backward […]
Broad’s Latest Attack on Democracy
We serve the people of Greater Los Angeles because we believe there is a better path for the children of our great district. Unfortunately, the serious allegations against Dr. Ref Rodriguez distract from that critical mission.” – Monica Garcia, Nick Melvoin and Kelly Gonez While the LAUSD School Board was evaluating the performance of the […]
Rules? Where we’re going we don’t need rules.
This is much ado about nothing” – Attorney Mark Werksman According to the Felony Complaint against Refugio (Ref) Rodriguez, he and his cousin allegedly conspired in a scheme that hid the source of almost $25,000 in campaign donations from the public. While a lawyer involved in the case maintains that this is “a small amount […]
The Politics of Retribution
“A plan for ensuring best and fair practices for charter operators, including results that indicate positive impacts on the achievement gap, inclusion of all students, fair labor practices, and parent engagement practices.” -Steve Zimmer, 11/13/12 Betsy Devos, Eli Broad, and Michael Bloomberg have spent millions of dollars pushing to privatize our public schools with disastrous […]
Steve Zimmer: A Last Stand Between Public Education and the Privatizers
As a special education and parent advocate who has run twice in LAUSD elections under the rallying cry of “Change The LAUSD”, my first inclination is to recommend against a vote for the incumbent in the District 4 Board race. However, as the election of Trump has shown, voting with a “throw the bums out” […]
Quick Education Voter’s Guide to the California CD34 Race, April 4, 2017
There are twenty-three candidates running to fill former Congressman Xavier Bacerra’s seat in Congressional District 34 in Southern California. (Bacerra is currently the state’s Attorney General, replacing Kamala Harris, who, after November 8, 2016, became our US Senator.) Election Day is Tuesday, April 4, 2017, 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can find your polling […]
Three-Part Series: Fact-Checking LAUSD School Board District 4 “Facts,” Part III
by Miriam Efrat. Read Part I here, read Part II here. Part Three: Dumping the Blame Game and setting some records straight No one likes to have their parenting choices judged by strangers. Engaged parents try to make choices that give their child the best possible opportunity in life. Ultimately, the charter vs. public school […]
Three-Part Series: Fact-Checking LAUSD School Board District 4 “Facts,” Part II
by Miriam Efrat. Read Part I here, read Part III here. Part Two: The Budget is tight, but not bust—contrary to the challengers and received wisdom It is unclear whether the challengers just don’t understand the complexities of the District budget, or if they intentionally exaggerate in order to blame Zimmer for problems that he […]
Three-Part Series Fact-Checking LAUSD School Board District 4 “Facts,” Part I
by Miriam Efrat. First in a three part series. Read Part II here, and Part III here. Dear Voters of LAUSD Board District 4: Are you a progressive recently woke to the vital need for accountable leadership in public education? Just someone who likes to be well-informed before casting a vote? I hear your mailboxes […]