Today on AirTalk, we take a look at whether or not eliminating "gifted" programs would help desegregate public schools. We also discuss the latest on an audit of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority that outlines the agency's dramatic failure to meet the housing and treatment goals set by the city; and more.
Audit: LA's Top Homelessness Agency Missing Most Of Its Goals
The homeless services authority that contracts with the City of Los Angeles to help find housing and treatment for the city’s homeless population has missed a number of the goals in its contract with L.A. City, according to an audit released Wednesday by the office of City Controller Ron Galperin.
In addition to highlighting those goals, City Controller Ron Galperin has proposed a data-driven fix that he says would use real-time data to help the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) better allocate resources and more effectively make decisions about outreach strategies and planning. In a statement, Galperin said “My report shows that a better plan to reach out to the City’s homeless population is needed. LAHSA is spending far too much time reacting to complaints and contacting far too few people as a result. By implementing a data-driven approach, LAHSA will be able to engage in proactive outreach and get more people off the streets and into shelters and homes.”
LAHSA has yet to release an official statement, but chief program officer Heidi Marston told The Los Angeles Times that the audit’s findings reflected an “unbalanced system” and that LAHSA “can’t place people in shelter or housing that has yet to be built or is blocked.”
Today on AirTalk, Larry sits down with controller Galperin to go over the findings of the audit.
This segment has been updated since its original publication with a statement from LAHSA.
AirTalk invited LAHSA to respond to the audit, but they did not respond to our requests for comment in time for our live program. In a statement we received after our segment aired, LAHSA said the audit is "misleading" and sent us the following quote from executive director Peter Lynn:
“The day-to-day work of connecting with people on the street requires passion and patience: forming bonds with our most vulnerable. These are individuals and families for whom the system has failed. Its pace can be frustrating, but by the measurements that matter, Los Angeles City and County have invested in programs that are reaching more people than ever before. LAHSA will continue to do this work. As more permanent and bridge housing come online, we will have more success helping our neighbors come indoors.”
We also invited Mayor Eric Garcetti to participate in our discussion, and his spokesperson sent us the following statement:
"If we’re going to solve this crisis, we need ideas and input from all of our leaders, and we should always be willing to put our strategies under a microscope. The Mayor appreciates the Controller’s work, and will review the recommendations in this report. LAHSA outreach workers have some of the toughest jobs, battling this crisis from the front lines. Mayor Garcetti is inspired by these men and women every day, and has full confidence in their ability to help our homeless neighbors find their way off the street. Last year alone, they helped house nearly 22,000 people, an unprecedented number, and more than double what we saw just three years ago. The Mayor is optimistic that we can make even more progress in the coming months as we continue to accelerate our city-wide responses.”
Guest:
Ron Galperin, controller of the City of Los Angeles; his office conducted the audit on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s (LAHSA) outreach program; he tweets
It, Robot: Could Teaching Kids To Be AI-Savvy Early On Build Their Confidence And Ease Future Anxiety?
With artificial intelligence systems entering the mainstream, researchers say teaching kids to call robots “it” can help develop healthy boundaries.
According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, a growing number of studies are encouraging childhood AI education beyond coding. If kids understand how an AI system works, they can be more comfortable controlling and mastering it. Learning about the source of robots intelligence can temper kids’ tendency to overestimate robots capabilities. In a 2018 study, for example, 1 in 4 kids thought a robot would be better at solving a puzzle than them. Using the pronoun “it” teaches children that AI is inhuman, capable of error, and even manipulation. Have you tried to teach a child about artificial intelligence? What do you think they should know?
Guests:
Pete Basiliere, research vice president with Gartner, a technology research and advisory company
Jennifer Jipson, a professor of psychology and child development at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo
Craig Le Clair, a principal analyst with the research company Forrester, which produces trend analysis on the tech industry, he’s the author of the new book, Invisible Robots In The Quiet Of The Night: How AI and Automation Will Restructure the Workforce; he tweets
Union Workers Raise Concerns Over Record-Cheap Solar Deal, Putting City Contract On Hold
Los Angeles has been considering a solar power deal that’s being called record-cheap.
According to an article in the L.A. Times, LADWP would pay less than 2 cents per kilowatt-hour under the contract. The deal also includes at least 200 megawatts of lithium-ion batteries, which could help with storing solar power. But the city declined approving the contract this week after the city-run utility’s labor union raised concerns. Two LADWP commissioners voted in favor of approving the deal at a meeting Tuesday. One commissioner voted no, another abstained and another was absent. The LADWP board is expected to reconsider the contract at its next meeting. We take a look at the deal on AirTalk. What do you think about the proposed deal?
We received this statement from LADWP: “LADWP will be meeting with the Union next week to discuss this project and the Board of Water and Power Commissioners will be considering the item at the next meeting.”
We received this statement from 8Minute Energy spokesperson Jeff McKay: “This is what the future of energy looks like and we’re thrilled to be co-creating that future in collaboration with our fellow innovators at LADWP. Together, thanks to Eland’s advanced storage and dispatch capabilities, we’re working to dispel misconceptions about the availability, reliability, and long-term viability of clean solar power. Utilizing existing transmission infrastructure to an extent never before seen for solar power plants, allows for the rapid expansion of clean energy projects while saving the ratepayer money. This project would be a huge win—for the city of Los Angeles, the people of California as well as a game-changer for the renewable energy industry.”
We also reached out to IBEW Local 18 for comment. We did not hear back by the time we aired this segment.
Guest:
Sammy Roth, L.A. Times reporter covering energy, he wrote about the solar deal; he tweets
Would Eliminating ‘Gifted’ Programs Help Desegregate Public Education? We Look At NYC And LA
New York City public schools are considering a proposal to end “gifted and talented” programs in the district, according to a report from the New York Times.
If the initiative is approved, the racial make-up of New York schools would be dramatically reshaped. Gifted programs, about a quarter of the district’s middle and high schools, include primarily white and Asian children, while the rest of the system enrolls mostly black and Hispanic students. The “gifted” designation is based on exams, grades and attendance rates. Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Bill de Blasio, who appointed the panel members responsible for the proposal, can approve the desegregation plan without city or state approval. The mayor’s decision could potentially influence other school districts around the county.
Meanwhile, Kelly Gonez of the LAUSD Board of Education has proposed a resolution that would create a group to examine new school choice programs in L.A. and make recommendations on how to decrease segregation. We talk with Gonez about her proposal and the state of school segregation in Los Angeles.
Do you think gifted education programs are fair? What about the magnets in Los Angeles? Join Larry Mantle in conversation at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Eliza Shapiro, New York Times education reporter who wrote desegregation proposal article; she tweets
Kelly Gonez, member of the LAUSD Board of Education, who has introduced a similar proposal in LAUSD looking at issues with segregation; she tweets