They call themselves "Two Teachers and a Microphone," and their rap and video about the recent layoffs at the Los Angeles Unified School District caused quite a stir. Now they've got a follow up video, in which the the "angry duo is still demanding the school board rescind the 5,000 preliminary layoff notices sent out to teachers and other school site employees," reports GOOD. more ›

With thousands of pink slips going out to teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District, those educators who are now, or will be, out of a job are pretty angry. One teacher has put together this video about the state of education in Los Angeles and the country, only instead of dry narration, he raps his message. We'll forgive the sometimes quirky pastiche of background images (Justin Bieber!) if only because he successfully works the word "chutzpah," into his clever lyrics. more ›

LAUSD teachers will be taking several unpaid furlough days over the next couple of years as part of a plan approved by the Board of Education and United Teachers Los Angeles, according to the Daily Breeze. The five furlough days this year, and seven next year--which includes two days off for students--is expected to be part of cost-saving measures implemented in hopes of eradicating the need to layoff over 2,000 teachers. Yesterday the Board voted to rescind 1,421 pink slips already sent out, and are expected to rescind another 600 later. "The furlough days and shortened school year are expected to save $147 million." more ›

Plans for a one-day teacher walk out and protest planned for Friday had the kibosh put on them today by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. Unionized teachers wanted to protest anticipated layoffs and large class sizes and LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines doesn't want to disrupt school environs, especially in light of state and advance placement testing. more ›

So you want to learn a little more about the green drink? Morton's downtown is holding a seminar on the art and history of absinthe with an evening of Pernod absinthe cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 6-7:30 pm. “From the slow pour of the fairy fountain, to the sugar cube and slotted spoon...absinthe tasting is a cocktail experience to savor.” Tickets are $45 per person. more ›