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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.
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Educators and advocates for kids and families have pushed for increased access to early childhood programs for years, but the reception to the transitional kindergarten proposal is mixed.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom envisions a public school early education system that’s open to all 4-year-olds in the state by the 2024-25 school year.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to use part of the state’s $75.7 billion budget surplus to create an early education program for every four-year-old in the state.
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The jungle gyms will get the same electrostatic sanitizing treatment as school classrooms and hand-washing will be required before play.
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Los Angeles based children’s author Rebecca Jordan-Glum on her “completely ridiculous approach to a very serious topic.”
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Get to know your pelvic floor, meet some doulas and learn to cook for breastfeeding moms- just a few of the options during Black Maternal Health Week 2021.
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Scenes from kindergarten and elementary schools, as some students return to the physical classroom for the first time, after over a year of distanced at-home learning.
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How one LAUSD early education teacher puts it as some of the youngest students begin returning to classrooms: "We are still going to have fun, but in a different way."
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Full-time LAUSD employees are eligible for a $500 a month payment for each child ages 5 and younger who is in a child care program.
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A vaccination clinic at South L.A.’s Macedonia Baptist Church provided long-awaited appointments for child care providers this week.
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About 100,000 L.A. County child care providers have been eligible for the vaccine for weeks, but getting an appointment can be a challenge and some are undecided about whether to get a shot at all.
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As of March 1, child care providers can receive the vaccine in Los Angeles County, Orange County and Pasadena. But expect a slow roll out.
