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 childcare 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.
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Charter advocates had sued the district over a recent policy that discourages co-locations on some kinds of campuses. -
Dependiendo a quién se le pregunte, las escuelas chárter representan o bien una amenaza existencial a las escuelas públicas, o un modelo innovador para el aprendizaje. -
Los Angeles Unified leaders designated millions in taxpayer dollars to pay for pouches, lockers and other materials to implement a more restrictive cellphone policy. -
From surfing to adaptive sports, Los Angeles is expanding low-cost programs throughout the city. -
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but researchers say there are key times to consider limiting screen time. -
Superintendent Carvalho says the $110.5 million cuts target immigrant communities and vulnerable students. -
What started as a strategy to integrate campuses can now feel like an opaque competition to get into a select group of schools. -
Enrollment has declined for more than two decades and the district is spending more money than it brings in. -
Though protests have waned in recent days, several hundred people gathered in downtown Los Angeles on the eve of Juneteenth to pray about and condemn the separation of families because of immigration raids. -
Four months after the Los Angeles Unified School District banned cellphones, educators say students are less distracted and more talkative. But that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily following the rules.
