U.S. education secretary calls for more teacher-district cooperation

Speaking at a two-day conference, Arne Duncan says both sides need to work together to improve student achievement.

L.A. Unified OKs 'doomsday budget'

'We don't want to do any of the things on there,' a board member says of the worst-case scenario, which would produce thousands of layoffs and bigger classes.

Colorado school district has wealth, success — and an eye on vouchers

Douglas County Board of Education's plan to introduce school vouchers is being watched around the country.

Casino mogul Kirk Kerkorian donates $100 million to UCLA

The university will be able to use Kirk Kerkorian's $100-million gift for medical research, scholarships and other projects. University officials will also be able to administer another $100 million for other charitable causes. Last month, the university received a $100-million gift from alumnus Meyer Luskin.

State Board of Education puts the brakes on parent-trigger law

A group will be appointed to study how to implement the measure, which lets parents petition for sweeping reforms at low-performing schools. Critics see it as an attempt to derail the law.

L.A. school devotes a day to the battle against bullying

Officials hope the 'Stand Tall Day' program of presentations, videos, self-defense sessions and student-written sketches at Hale Middle School in Woodland Hills can be a model on combating bullying.

At a Super Bowl party, game-changing ideas about education

At Gary and Cherna Gitnick's annual bash in Encino, 11 experts and a moderator pontificate on the problems facing L.A. city schools. The subject itself has become a political football.

Admissions process is latest problem at downtown L.A. arts high school

Administrators of the $232-million campus neglected to mention that enrollment is first-come, first-served for students outside the neighborhood. The principal says it was an oversight.

California higher education leaders warn of further tuition increases

If Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to extend tax hikes fails, and if California's budget crisis continues, the leaders of California's public colleges say, student costs could continue to rise.

Separate study confirms many Los Angeles Times findings on teacher effectiveness

A University of Colorado review of Los Angeles Unified teacher effectiveness also raises some questions about the precision of ratings as reported in The Times.

L.A. Unified considers changes at Widney High School in wake of problems

Teachers at the school, which serves developmentally disabled students, are doing a poor job, officials say. During a recent visit to the Jefferson Park campus, Supt. Ramon C. Cortines observed teachers watching a soap opera during class.

Eight seek presidency of United Teachers Los Angeles

Candidates have much in common, but one appears to be strongly favored by outgoing boss A.J. Duffy.

President's education plan another early test for political civility

Republicans and Democrats move closer on dropping No Child Left Behind, but rifts open on how to replace it.

Tight finishes in region's Academic Decathlon Super Quiz

At least a dozen schools from Los Angeles Unified and L.A. County are within striking distance of regional titles and a place in the state competition. The winners will be announced later this week.

American students in Egypt get a crash course in politics, unrest and revolution

Many of the roughly 1,000 U.S. students enrolled in programs in Egypt have fled the country since anti-government protests broke out last week. But others have chosen to stay.