How Are Southern California Kids Doing, Really? (And Other Headlines)

It’s been three years since the pandemic upended our entire lives. I’ll never forget reporting on students and schools in the early days of COVID-19 — the nation’s students, and the adults who cared for them were in disarray. Everyone from district officials to parents were trying to figure out how to keep kids actively engaged in learning and socializing when everyone was isolated.

Are the kids alright?

That work has continued over the last few years as many students still struggle to get back into a “normal” groove in school. With Los Angeles Unified returning from summer break this Monday — and other districts soon to follow — the state of our kids in Southern California needs a temperature check. So how are kids actually doing?

For her latest story, my colleague Mariana Dale spoke with the grown folks who interact with kids all day, every day, to try and answer this question. There’s been a classroom-load of articles about learning loss and even though some parents have seen a decline in their students’ academics (state standardized test scores in English/language arts also reflect that), not all is lost. LAUSD has shown some gains in reading skills in the 8th grade.

There is one more thing.

Veteran teacher and 2023 California Teacher of the Year, Bridgette Donald-Blue said students are working hard, and it’s crucial for them to know the adults in their lives are “excited” for the results of their hard work. Donald-Blue also shared a “win” with Mariana that involved a student sharing her excitement about learning how to answer questions last year.

“We are here every day to celebrate those small successes and help them build upon what they've learned,” said Los Angeles teacher Bridgette Donald-Blue.

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Mariana Dale

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LAist

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“That was huge,” Donald-Blue said. “It's not always about getting the correct answer each and every time, but if she has a strategy and a knowledge of how to answer, then that means she will persevere.”

There are, of course, a lot of challenges kids these days are facing – academically, socially, emotionally. There are some wins but more work is needed to ensure the kids will really be alright.

Read the rest of Mariana’s story to learn more.

Stay safe and cool, L.A. There’s more news below — just keep reading.

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Wait! One more thing...

Do you have housing questions? Ask us.

LifeArk affordable plastic modular homes in El Monte.

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Brian Feinzimer

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LAist

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Every time I’m driving through a neighborhood in Los Angeles and see abandoned lots or buildings, I question why aren’t they being built out to support the people who don’t have a stable and safe home to live in.

Affordable housing is a key piece to solving Los Angeles’ homelessness crisis. So…why can’t we just build more? Of course, it’s more complicated than that, which is why my colleague, Brianna Lee, is in the process of creating a series on housing development in Los Angeles that will answer those seemingly simple, but vastly complex questions.

But first, Brianna wants to hear from HTLA readers: What do you want to know about housing being built in your neighborhood and beyond? What makes no sense to you?

If you’ve ever looked at a long-empty lot or new housing construction and wondered, “Why is this like that?” we want to hear from you.

Let us know your questions by filling out this short survey.