Mariana Dale

Los Angeles

K–12 Senior Reporter at LAist

Stories about K-12 education for @laist (formerly KPCC). @LAistUnion proud. Forever Arizonan with a cactus heart. mdale – at – scpr – dot – org

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Articles

Fewer charter schools share LAUSD campuses, but tension remains

1 day ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

Only 7% of LAist readers currently donate to fund our journalism. Help raise that number, so our nonprofit newsroom stays strong in the face of federal cuts. Donate now. The number of Los Angeles Unified schools sharing space with charter schools has declined 43% in the last seven years. Next school year, 41 LAUSD schools will house an independently run charter school on their campus.
San Marino voters poised to renew school funding measure

2 days ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

Only 7% of LAist readers currently donate to fund our journalism. Help raise that number, so our nonprofit newsroom stays strong in the face of federal cuts. Donate now. Returns from Tuesday night show Measure R currently has the two-thirds of votes needed to pass, but the results still need to be certified. San Marino Unified voters have renewed the parcel tax six times since it was first passed in 1991. Why it matters: The annual $415 parcel tax will expire June 30 without voter approval.
What are charter schools and how do they work in LA?

3 days ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

Only 7% of LAist readers currently donate to fund our journalism. Help raise that number, so our nonprofit newsroom stays strong in the face of federal cuts. Donate now. Our Early Childhood newsletter, focused on raising kids ages 0-5, is your place to get reads and resources on the topics most important to your family. Depending on who you ask, charter schools represent either an existential threat to public schools or an innovative model for learning.
The LA Public Library's summer reading program is about more than tote bags

4 days ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

Only 7% of LAist readers currently donate to fund our journalism. Help raise that number, so our nonprofit newsroom stays strong in the face of federal cuts. Donate now. Your local library offers a cornucopia of free resources all year — including musical instruments and — but during the summer there’s an extra incentive to visit (in addition to the air conditioning).
Dr. Dre and 'starstruck' students celebrate Compton's rebuilt high school

2 weeks ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

Compton Unified leaders — and one-time student Dr. Dre — celebrated the completion of Compton High School’s rebuild Thursday. The $225 million campus includes a performing arts center, a half-size Olympic pool, tennis courts and classrooms where students will learn engineering, video game design and earn college credit.
LA County to offer more blood tests for lead exposure

2 weeks ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

Background: Five months after the Eaton Fire, soil tests show elevated levels of lead and other toxic metals in and around Pasadena and Altadena. Pasadena Unified School District on May 14, showing elevated levels of lead and other toxic metals at 13 campuses. Pasadena baseball infields were also closed after were found in other soil sampling. Why it matters: Lead exposure is , particularly for young children. It can cause behavior and learning problems and slowed growth among .
Soil samples from Pasadena schools show lead, other heavy metals. What does that mean?

3 weeks ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

Pasadena Unified School District released the results of soil tests this week, showing elevated levels of toxic metals at 13 campuses five months after the Eaton Fire. Pasadena schools that shut down during the peak of the Eaton Fire reopened by February, and parents have been concerned since then about the possible presence of harmful metals like lead and arsenic. The schools are among many sites in the Eaton Fire area that have recently found to have elevated levels of harmful materials.
Voter Guide to Measure R, a San Marino schools parcel tax

3 weeks ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

Some San Gabriel Valley voters are back at the polls again this summer. The San Marino Unified School District is asking voters to renew an annual $415 parcel tax to raise an estimated $1.6 million a year to fund programs for students, educator salaries, current class sizes, libraries and other services. The L.A. County Registrar-Recorder mailed ballots to registered voters earlier this month and prospective voters have until May 19 to register.
LAUSD aims to ease childcare and other burdens of employee parents

3 weeks ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

The Los Angeles Unified School District board voted unanimously Tuesday to develop a proposal to better support employee parents. The board gave staff a February 2026 deadline to draft a proposal. Educators say a major challenge is a lack of access to paid family leave, which will require a solution that extends beyond the district. California has . High-poverty schools, including those in LAUSD, .
A shush-free space at LA library’s new sensory room

1 month ago | laist.com | Mariana Dale

There’s a room in a South Bay library where stars sparkle on the ceiling, fish and bubbles float in a glowing tube and a giant beanbag chair beckons from the floor. You can step on tiles and watch bright colors swirl under your feet, look into a mirror and see your reflection in a swirling tunnel of light and run your hands across a crunchy-smooth wall of sequins. There are books on the shelves about disability, autism and neurodivergence.