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Mariana Dale
What I cover
I explore and explain the forces that shape how and what kids learn from kindergarten to high school. Our K-12 education system has not always provided each child the same opportunities to succeed, but I believe all kids have the capacity to learn and find a meaningful place in the world.
My background
I started at LAist in 2019 as the early childhood reporter where I quickly realized that what we think of as education starts well before a kid steps into a classroom. Health, access to child care and nutritious food are a few of the many factors that shape young people’s lives. My reporting on the disparities in maternal mortality taught me that inequity can lead to deadly outcomes but also that there is a groundswell of community support pushing to change harmful systems.
I grew up in Arizona, where among other things, I reported on education, saguaro cactus and questions from people like you. I’m proud to mentor emerging journalists through Next Gen Radio and various education programs.
My reporting has earned a national Edward R. Murrow award, Hillman Prize and accolades from the L.A. Press Club and the Online News Association.
My goals
I want to help families navigate their child’s education, explore the challenges that prevent schools from creating an environment where all students can learn and highlight solutions.
Best way to reach me
I love to hear questions and ideas for stories about schools and the opportunities in our community for children to learn and grow. You can reach out by email at mdale@laist.com.
Stories by Mariana Dale
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There’s still time to explore one of Los Angeles Unified School District’s magnet schools, charter or dual language programs.
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The vote does not guarantee teachers will walk out this semester. First the union must exhaust all steps of the collective bargaining process.
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Robert King’s classroom survived the Palisades Fire, but the collection of memorabilia he used to bring the story of our country alive to his students did not.
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The Palisades Fire destroyed 30% of the campus, including 36 classrooms, storage facilities and the football stadium.
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The majority of Long Beach students must turn off and store their electronic devices in their backpacks for the entire school day.
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The school district worked with the maker of its beloved coffee cake to craft a vegan pastry.
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LAUSD leaders say without layoffs this year, the school district will face steeper reductions in the future.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed record levels of public funding for K-12 schools, but several Southern California school districts may need to make cuts next school year.
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Transitional kindergarten is forcing a change in the way elementary schools operate in California.
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At the end of January, students will have returned to two of the three public school campuses burned in the Palisades Fire one year prior.
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About 64,000 students signed up for a week of credit recovery and enrichment camps.
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Federal funding cuts and immigration policy were two significant issues among many that local educators navigated in 2025.
