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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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Attorneys say that last school year the district suspended Black students at rates four times higher than their white peers and suspended students with disabilities twice as often as those without disabilities.
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About 35,000 educators approved a deal reached after almost a year of negotiations and a March strike.
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How to respectfully enjoy nature’s spring bounty.
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California's state of emergency is over and that’s changing how people access some public meetings.
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Low-income Californians can now get doula support during pregnancy and childbirth through Medi-Cal, but first birth workers need to enroll as providers.
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On the same day the LAUSD board finalized a new contract with support staff, the teachers union announced a tentative deal that would boost salaries by 21% over three years.
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The mayor wants to scale up her Inside Safe program to $250 million, and hire hundreds more police officers.
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Whether your child wants to learn guitar online or needs a little extra help reading, it’s time to sign up for summer school in Los Angeles Unified.
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The deal promises to raise wages for bus drivers, classroom assistants, custodians and other support staff after a three-day strike shut down the district last month.
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We can’t make child care cheaper, but we can help prepare you with the information to find resources and support.
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The union that represents school support staff in Los Angeles Unified School District has reached a tentative agreement with district leadership to increase wages by 30% and provide health care to more members.
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Parents and students pivoted while a three-day strike shut down Los Angeles Unified School District. There were teachable moments, some more successful than others.
