LA STUDENTS WALKOUT IN IMMIGRATION PROTEST; SENATE STRUGGLES ON IMMIGRATION REFORM; YEAR 4 OF THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT
LA STUDENTS WALKOUT IN IMMIGRATION PROTEST
40,000 students walked out of their classes yesterday to protest immigration reform proposals that would crack down on undocumented immigrants. Monday's demonstrations started in Los Angeles and spread to San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Ventura counties. Though the protests were mostly peaceful, there were a few clashes, several arrests, and traffic was gridlocked as protestors closed some area freeways. Students in San Pedro, Bellfower, Compton, and the San Fernando Valley have reportedly walked out again this morning. Larry talks about the walkouts with KPCC Reporter Adolfo Guzman Lopez.
SENATE STRUGGLES ON IMMIGRATION REFORM
Senators are looking for common ground on immigration legislation--this on the heels of huge street rallies that have spread from Los Angeles to the grounds of the US Capitol. Meanwhile, President Bush pushed his case for allowing millions of illegal immigrants to stay in the US on worker visas. Larry talks about the various immigration bills being discussed this week in Congress with Ron Elving, Senior Washington Editor for National Public Radio.
YEAR 4 OF THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT
The most comprehensive national study to date on the impact of No Child Left Behind Act has been released by the non-profit Center on Education Policy Group. The No Child Left Behind Act, President Bush’s signature education law, requires states to test students yearly in certain subjects and to show progress or face sanctions. The report looked at 299 geographically diverse school districts in 50 states, and 31 districts in-depth. The report, which examined the fourth year of the law’s implementation, found that 71% of the nation’s school districts have narrowed curriculum, reducing time spent on subjects like history and music to make more room for reading and math. Larry Mantle talks with the President of the Center on Education Policy, Jack Jennings.