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Mariana Dale
What I cover
I explore and explain the forces that shape how and what kids learn from kindergarten to high school. Our K-12 education system has not always provided each child the same opportunities to succeed, but I believe all kids have the capacity to learn and find a meaningful place in the world.
My background
I started at LAist in 2019 as the early childhood reporter where I quickly realized that what we think of as education starts well before a kid steps into a classroom. Health, access to child care and nutritious food are a few of the many factors that shape young people’s lives. My reporting on the disparities in maternal mortality taught me that inequity can lead to deadly outcomes but also that there is a groundswell of community support pushing to change harmful systems.
I grew up in Arizona, where among other things, I reported on education, saguaro cactus and questions from people like you. I’m proud to mentor emerging journalists through Next Gen Radio and various education programs.
My reporting has earned a national Edward R. Murrow award, Hillman Prize and accolades from the L.A. Press Club and the Online News Association.
My goals
I want to help families navigate their child’s education, explore the challenges that prevent schools from creating an environment where all students can learn and highlight solutions.
Best way to reach me
I love to hear questions and ideas for stories about schools and the opportunities in our community for children to learn and grow. You can reach out by email at mdale@laist.com.
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Get to know your pelvic floor, meet some doulas and learn to cook for breastfeeding moms- just a few of the options during Black Maternal Health Week 2021.
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Scenes from kindergarten and elementary schools, as some students return to the physical classroom for the first time, after over a year of distanced at-home learning.
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How one LAUSD early education teacher puts it as some of the youngest students begin returning to classrooms: "We are still going to have fun, but in a different way."
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Full-time LAUSD employees are eligible for a $500 a month payment for each child ages 5 and younger who is in a child care program.
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A vaccination clinic at South L.A.’s Macedonia Baptist Church provided long-awaited appointments for child care providers this week.
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About 100,000 L.A. County child care providers have been eligible for the vaccine for weeks, but getting an appointment can be a challenge and some are undecided about whether to get a shot at all.
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As of March 1, child care providers can receive the vaccine in Los Angeles County, Orange County and Pasadena. But expect a slow roll out.
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Thousands more child care providers closed temporarily. Even those that manage to reopen are often losing money between decreased enrollment and increased costs to operate.
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More than 3,000 California child care providers have permanently shut down during the pandemic, but that's not the only thing we have to worry about.
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The tentative agreement includes a one-time stipend of $525 for each child enrolled in a state-subsidized program.
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The good news is that center-based child care workers and nannies in Long Beach are already eligible for vaccines.
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There’s a long history of health disparities for Black moms and their babies. Midwifery care might be part of the solution.
