Education

Harmony Project: Harnessing the power of music to boost LAUSD students

Getting their first instrument is an emotionally stirring experience for many children, but for the low-income students served by the Harmony Project, it’s often a life-changing event.

California districts try many options before charging parents for student truancy

Multiple phone calls, emails, letters and requests for meetings are what parents should expect if their child is deemed truant. Most school districts appear less and less likely to lean on punitive measures in recent years.

A yellow school bus on the street in front of a brick school. Two students can be seen on the sidewalk, one on a skateboard and the other on a scooter.

UC students push for a place to get — and stay — sober on every campus

The University of California’s student government wants every campus to have a collegiate recovery program.

LAUSD board approves $9 billion bond election

The Los Angeles Unified School District voted unanimously put a bond that would pay for school repairs and upgrades to voters.

A diverse group of young children sit on a mat inside a classroom. Sitting next to them on stools are two men in suits; the man on the left has dark skin, and the man on the right has light brown skin.

Leader of L.A.'s community colleges announces early retirement

Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez says he’s retiring to take care of his ailing father, but the announcement comes amid district turmoil.

During the day, a set of four brick pillars stand in the sun, each pillar bearing a large block letter. Together, the pillars have the letters ELAC. A student walks in between the E and the L pillars.

California’s two biggest school districts botched AI deals. Here are lessons from their mistakes.

Educators can learn caution from AI mistakes in Los Angeles and San Diego. But they also face pressure to adopt the technology quickly.

In digital paint: a pink, cartoon child with big hair looks worriedly at squiggles, lines, and spheres in a purple splotch on a big green canvas framed in brown and yellow.

As LGBTQ library material comes under fire, California may ban book bans

Fresno County is about to appoint a library review committee that critics say will censor children’s books. But a bill before the Legislature would outlaw such groups in California.

A collection of library stacks in a row.

Cal State board anticipates a ‘painful year’ as campuses cut costs

California State University is taking the forecast of a snowballing budget gap so seriously, even a recent message touting a new hire came with the equivalent of a financial weather advisory.

The view behind two heads dressed in suits, the left in beige and the right in black. They sit at a round table board meeting facing a projector with a photo of grads displayed on the screen.

Not your parents' VBS: How vacation Bible schools are changing to meet new needs

For decades, churches have offered day camps for kids called vacation Bible schools — often known by their acronym, VBS. Now they're adapting to changing dynamics of family life and religious participation.

A small child sitting at a table covered in blue plastic painting a rainbow cross with a brush

5 tips to save money on back-to-school shopping — this weekend and beyond

Families are expected to spend $875 on average for school supplies, clothing and backpacks this year. Here are a few ways to help lower the bill.

Hey, LA listener!

Education

Raising kids?

Support fact‑based local education coverage