Recently released investigative reports by Southern California radio station KPCC have increased public scrutiny of Superintendent John Deasy’s cozy relationships with Apple and Pearson executives in the period 2011 to 2013, before both corporations won the 2013 bid to supply Los Angeles Unified with iPads and software. This is the infamous “$1 billion iPad” deal […]
iPad Watchdog Stuart Magruder’s Re-Appointment: Which Way Will LAUSD Go?
The question for many school districts around the country this spring was this: how are they supposed to give computer-based, end-of-year Common Core State Standards (CCSS) tests? For over a year in Los Angeles Unified, parents, students, teachers, and community members have wrestled with the details of Superintendent John Deasy’s 1:1 iPad program and its […]
LAUSD iPads and the Will of the Voters: Just the Facts, Please
Commentary by Public Policy Educator, Ellen Lubic, Director, Joining Forces for Education Today, Diane Ravitch posted on her website an article on the LA Times editorial which once again lambasted the Board of Education for micro managing the ‘poor beleaguered’ Superintendent of LAUSD, John Deasy. The title of Diane’s writing is Putting Bureaucrats First. Evidently the LA […]
Open Letter to the LAUSD School Board on Superintendent Deasy's Performance
Roberta Eidman, MPH, is a public health expert and past adult education lecturer in LAUSD. If you too would like to share you concerns with the Los Angeles Unified School Board, their emails are below: Richard.Vladovic@lausd.net Monica.Garcia@lausd.net Tamar.Galatzan@lausd.net Monica.Ratliff@lausd.net boarddistrict5@lausd.net Marguerite.Lamotte@lausd.net Szimmer@lausd.net Kelli.Bernard@lacity.org (Kelli Bernard, Mayor Garcetti’s Education & Workforce deputy) Dear LAUSD Board Members: […]
Speak Up and Be Heard! Attend the LAUSD School Board Meeting and Reassert the Will of the Voters
Guest op-ed by Ellen Lubic, educator and longtime Los Angeles resident. She is founder of Joining Forces for Education. We Must Stop This! Join me and other Los Angeles residents, Tuesday, October 29, 2013, at 9 AM at 333 South Beaudry St. in downtown LA — and I would hope to see hundreds of parents, […]
Slicing Up LAUSD's "Apple" iPad Pie
Guest post by Understanding Equity, a Los Angeles resident and teacher. Even Costco most likely could provide a break down of the cost of every ingredient needed to make one of their famous apple pies. But, when it comes to LAUSD’s Apple iPad purchase, no one seems or admits to have any idea how […]
In Los Angeles Unified School District Power Struggle, Voters Choose
Guest post by Karen Wolfe, a parent and public education advocate who lives in Los Angeles. Parents and public school advocates are very concerned following the LA Times article about Mayor Garcetti weighing in on Superintendent Deasy’s waning support. I hope the mayor will keep in mind that voters value their right to elect an independent […]
Let's Have A One-to-One Chat
Guest post by Roberta Eidman, MPH, a Los Angeles community member. On October 29th, the LAUSD School Board will review Superintendent John Deasy’s controversial One-to-One i-Pad initiative. Parents, teacher and press have criticized the project for its $1B price tag, use of bond funding, security glitches and absence of instructional planning. Still, Deasy is determined […]