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.
In Lawsuit Settlement, California Agrees To Spend Millions On Literacy

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has signed off on a lawsuit settlement that will direct $50 million for literacy instruction to dozens of California schools.
The plaintiffs in Ella T. v. California had sought to establish that the California constitution gives all public school students the right to basic reading and writing instruction.
In agreeing to settle the case, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state leaders agreed to push ahead with plans for a three-year, $50 million grant program to improve reading and writing instruction in 75 struggling schools.
“The state will make certain,” said plaintiffs attorney Mark Rosenbaum, “not just that they have the financial resources, but that they have programs in place … that we know work in terms of teaching kids how to read.”
The grant program is currently in the governor’s budget proposal.
The settlement also calls for new statewide guidance to schools calling for less-punitive discipline. Rosenbaum, who is with the firm Public Counsel, says that’s because students' social and emotional needs are often barriers to learning to read.
The case was named for “Ella T.,” a student in a struggling L.A. public school. Ella T. was one of 10 students from L.A., Inglewood and Stockton who were listed along with two advocacy organizations as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
READ THE FULL STORY:
PRIMARY SOURCES:
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.

-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.