Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
LAUSD moves to close 6 charter schools after cheating scandal
L.A. Unified will dissolve six public schools operated by Crescendo Schools after administrators and teachers, following the instruction of Crescendo founder and executive director John Allen, were caught cheating on state exams.
(
timlewisnm/Flickr Creative Commons
)
Listen
LAUSD moves to close 6 charter schools after cheating scandal
In an unprecedented move, the Los Angeles Unified school board is set to close down six charter schools involved in a test cheating scandal last year. The board’s convening a public hearing on the proposal today.
An L.A. Unified investigation found that John Allen, the founder of Crescendo Schools, directed school administrators to break seals on state standardized tests and prepare students for the questions.
The charter group’s board demoted Allen. That wasn’t enough for L.A. Unified’s school board; it directed school district staff to revoke the charters that allow the schools to operate. The board moved forward even after Crescendo’s board fired John Allen from the organization.
The six schools are located in South L.A., Gardena and Hawthorne. At a previous board meeting, Crescendo administrators and supporters told L.A. Unified’s board that closing the charter schools would punish the students, not the adults involved in the cheating.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
