Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LAUSD Will Finish This School Year ‘In The Current, Remote Fashion’

L.A. Unified, the nation's second-largest school district, will not reopen its campuses this school year and will keep remote learning in place for summer school, Superintendent Austin Beutner announced this morning.
"The facts and circumstances will continue to change," Beutner said in a video address delivered from his home. "But we will not reopen school facilities until state and local health authorities tell us how it is safe and appropriate to do so."
Instead, Beutner said, students and teachers will continue this school year "in the current, remote fashion and we will hold summer school in a similar manner."
Update on April 13th
— Austin Beutner (@AustinLASchools) April 13, 2020
Actualización del 13 de abril pic.twitter.com/b1fmvXiV5X
A few other highlights from Beutner's remarks:
- Graduation: "For our high school seniors, [closed campuses] will mean a virtual graduation, at least for now," Beutner said.
- Community colleges and credits: Beutner said LAUSD is working with community colleges on plans for students "who are a few credits short" of earning a diploma. "We won’t allow the closure of school facilities to close the doors of opportunity for young adults earning a high school diploma and starting college," he said.
- Summer school: The district will offer remote classes in "four-week blocks of study for students at all levels," Beutner said, focusing on "literacy, fluency in math and critical thinking."
Beutner promised more updates on summer school "in the weeks ahead."
READ MORE:
- LAUSD, Teachers Agree To Distance Learning Ground Rules — Schedules, Grades, Video
- A 'Sobering Reality' For Special Needs Kids In An Era Of Distance Learning
- In Spring Break Update, LAUSD Superintendent Says ‘Normal Is Not Returning Anytime Soon’
- Maps: LA & OC Families In Need Can Get Free Food At These Places While Schools Are Closed
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk.
-
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain.
-
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
-
UCLA and University of California leaders are fighting Trump’s demands for a $1.2 billion settlement over a litany of accusations, including that the campus permits antisemitism.
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’
-
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research.