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Listen Listen
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.
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Yaroslavsky, Park, Soto-Martinez, and McOsker all are heading to City Hall.
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We reported earlier this year that the city of Los Angeles billed hundreds of providers for a $500 fire permit in error. Who got a refund?
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Candidates running to represent the Los Angeles Unified School District’s east side met in a virtual forum focused on early childhood.
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One L.A. County child care provider is turning decades of experience into videos that resonate with caregivers across the country.
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Vas a tener un bebé y queremos ayudarte, desde el punto de vista periodístico, claro.
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This publicly funded directory lists center- and home-based providers across the state and allows you to filter the search for things like type of care, vacancies, and language.
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California kids don’t have to go to school until they’re 6 years old and it’s going to stay that way.
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You asked us for tips on how to feel confident and prepared to raise concerns, ask questions— and more importantly, get answers — about your care during pregnancy and childbirth. We got the experts.
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Students from low-income backgrounds will have seed money that research suggests will help make college much more accessible.
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In fiction and in real life, California students are headed away from the state’s overcrowded college campuses.
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Residents of Angelino Heights say that "The Fast and The Furious" movies contribute to a dangerous car culture.
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Vans will bring storytime and more out of the library and into the community. Another program connects young learners to peer tutors.
