California Board of Education seeks probe of Compton charter campaign

The board will ask the state attorney general to examine charges of misconduct in a petition drive to convert McKinley Elementary into a charter school.

L.A. teachers union won't accept pay cuts, 'value-added' evaluations

UTLA leaders dispute criticisms from the mayor and others, but reiterate their firm opposition to furloughs, larger classes and use of students' test scores to evaluate teachers' performance.

L.A. Unified to seek corporate sponsors

The sponsors' 'branding' opportunities could include signs on scoreboards, naming rights to auditoriums or athletic fields and brand names on drums.

Brown wants to fast-track budget agreement within 60 days

At a forum in L.A., the incoming governor says the fiscal mess is 'much worse' than he thought; he does not say whether his plan would contain only spending cuts or include new taxes.

Education fills big space on Brown's chalkboard

As the governor-elect prepares to take office, California's schools are confronted by a lack of funding that threatens to further harm pupils and a controversial reform movement that could dramatically reshape how classrooms are run.

L.A. County scrutinizes government contractors

D.A.'s office likens their positions to those of elected officials and says the same standards should apply.

UC regents seek to cut retirees' pension eligibility and health benefits

Unions are expected to object to the proposal's creation of a two-tier workforce.

Clothing company threatens to sue over school district ban

Murrieta Unified officials say Metal Mulisha clothing includes logos resembling Nazi insignia that some students find 'intimidating.' The company disagrees and says the ban violates free speech rights.

Laser tag, karaoke keep finals from being a test of nerves

With students facing a sour economy and job worries, universities are taking extra steps to keep them from overstressing at the end of the term. Yoga, anyone?

Study backs 'value-added' analysis of teacher effectiveness

The study finds that teacher effectiveness can be reliably estimated by gauging their students' progress on standardized tests, a method hotly criticized by teachers unions. The long-awaited results come amid a national effort to reform teacher evaluations.

Effort to convert Compton school to charter draws fire

Some are withdrawing signatures given under the 'parent-trigger' law to make school a charter, saying they were intimidated or misled.

Villaraigosa takes on teachers union

In a speech to state leaders, the mayor brands United Teachers Los Angeles as an obstacle to reform as the city stands at 'a critical crossroads.'

California students get new protections against public school fees

ACLU reaches settlement with the state on lawsuit filed over some school districts charging for books, art supplies and other basic educational materials.

Parents present signatures to take over a Compton school

Using the new 'parent-trigger' law, they take the first step in demanding a charter operation at McKinley Elementary.

Campus stabbing victim sues UC regents

UCLA should have issued a warning about the assailant's potentially violent behavior, the suit says. The stabber is also named in the civil suit.

Arabic, Korean and Chinese deemed fastest-growing language courses at U.S. colleges

The surge in enrollment reflects a shift in response to current issues across the globe, officials say. Spanish and French, however, remain the most popular language courses.

Parents hope to force sweeping changes at Compton school

In the first test of a new law, they want to have a charter company take over McKinley Elementary.

UC Commission on Future issues final report

The system should enroll more out-of-state students and urge quicker graduation, it says.