Kyle Stokes

This school year will feel, not normal, but “familiar” — even if some LAUSD families aren’t ready for that.

The district was one of the few in Southern California to stick with distance learning last spring, as other school campuses reopened.

Los Angeles Unified School District officials have announced they will require all students and employees — regardless of vaccination status — to get a COVID-19 test before the new school year begins on Aug. 16, and to participate in weekly testing.

Parents have until Friday, July 30, to opt out of in-person instruction for their kids in the fall. Online instruction is still available, but it will differ from last year's distance learning.

In an exit interview, the outgoing L.A. schools superintendent says he did shake up the status quo as he promised — but by collaborating with the school district’s most powerful interests, not challenging them.

“You were the right man at the right time,” a former critic said.

A parent poll shows Black parents were most satisfied with distance learning — and concerned about "racism, bullying and low academic expectations" once students return in-person.

The emergency spending powers granted to the superintendent helped LAUSD secure enough devices early for distance learning and land a COVID-19 testing contract.

Most California school districts have been reopening campuses, but not all. Two of SoCal’s biggest are waiting.

Mobile teams will deliver shots on campuses once before school lets out, and once over the summer.