L.A. County keeping sugary drinks around -- for now

Supervisors approve health initiatives to improve the county's chances of receiving federal stimulus funds, but vote against a proposal to discourage the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

Villaraigosa, teacher groups vie for 4 schools

Jefferson High is one of the campuses that both Los Angeles' mayor and groups backed by the teachers union have bid to run. Supt. Ramon Cortines will decide.

USC enrolls highest number of foreign students of any U.S. university

The campus, which recruits heavily in Asia, had 7,482 international students in the 2008-09 school year. UCLA was eighth, with 5,590.

State cuts give private colleges an edge

Some campuses are luring students away from UC and Cal State schools with grants and assurances.

Exercise balls get education rolling

Classrooms that have replaced chairs with balls and ball chairs see better results. The devices sharpen students' attention and improve posture, teachers say.

Two worlds on one campus

The adversarial aura remains as students at Daniel Pearl journalism magnet high school and Birmingham charter high school settle into their new, segregated arrangement.

L.A. Unified asks union to OK four furlough days this year

To offset a budget shortfall of almost $500 million, Cortines also wants a 12% pay cut in the future.

California could get up to $700 million in U.S. education funds

Guidelines for the Race to the Top money for states will be released Thursday. State legislators will have to scurry to make the application deadline.

Public colleges get high marks among Californians, poll finds

UC, CSU and community college campuses are well-regarded despite recent furloughs and reduced class offerings. Yet only 41% of those surveyed would support higher taxes to offset budget cuts.

CSU applications up 53% from last year

The increase puts added pressure on the 23-campus university system, which has raised tuition 30% this year and plans to cut enrollment by 40,000 students in the face of a severe budget crisis.

Compton schools' weighty competition

Staff members team up to lose pounds and gain cash prizes. The district hopes their successes will inspire students to make better food choices too.

L.A. Unified magnet school application deadline is Dec. 18

This year's earlier due date is tied to the district's effort to improve its own forecasting of enrollment for the following school year, an official says.

Three's a crowd when it comes to Eastside schools

The addition of the Mendez learning center disrupts age-old campus loyalty -- to Roosevelt or Garfield highs, which are locked in a 75-year rivalry.

Volunteers hear a silent call for help

They went as temps to work at a Koreatown rehab center for deaf people. When funding dwindled, they stayed on without pay.

Thomas P. O'Malley dies at 79; former president of Loyola Marymount University

The Jesuit priest also was a dean and professor at Boston College.

Enrollment dips at L.A. Unified

The loss of students, apparently to charter schools in some cases, is bad news for the district's budget -- with funding based on attendance. It also has resulted in fewer teachers and larger classes.

Ford Foundation gives $100 million to reform urban high schools

The New York-based organization pledges the funds to seven cities, including Los Angeles, to research and improve teacher quality, student assessment and school funding, among other things.

Obama calls for end of 'firewall' rules that shield teachers

In a tough talk on education, the president spells out criteria for winning $4.35 billion in federal grants. He challenges rules that say teachers should not be judged by how their students perform.