Times investigation: Failure gets a pass
July 14, 2009
FAILURE GETS A PASS
Teacher loses fight to keep job
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has given school district officials the go-ahead to fire a special education teacher seven years after they decided he did not belong in a classroom because of alleged sexual harassment.
May 10, 2009
FAILURE GETS A PASS
Accused of sexual abuse, but back in the classroom
The 13-year-old on the witness stand looked to be an ordinary adolescent, her diffident smile unveiling a set of braces. Her attorney began gently, with questions about her favorite band and trips to the mall.
May 6, 2009
FAILURE GETS A PASS
Workday filled by TV, exercise, reading
Thomas Shelden, a fourth-grade teacher at Charles White Elementary in Westlake, is one of about 160 school district employees "housed" by L.A. Unified. Shelden was accused of sexually harassing a fellow teacher. A district inquiry did not substantiate that, but LAUSD assigned Shelden first to a district office and later to home, saying he repeatedly had contacted the woman against district orders. He is forbidden to teach, seek a second job or leave the premises during the school day. "You are to follow the holiday / pupil-free day schedule as reflected on your school calendar," reads a February letter from the district. Shelden, who continues to collect his $73,500 salary, says he has done nothing wrong. A Times reporter and photographer spent a school day at his Los Feliz residence.
May 6, 2009
FAILURE GETS A PASS
L.A. Unified pays teachers not to teach
For seven years, the Los Angeles Unified School District has paid Matthew Kim a teaching salary of up to $68,000 per year, plus benefits.
May 3, 2009
FAILURE GETS A PASS
Firing tenured teachers can be a costly and tortuous task
The eighth-grade boy held out his wrists for teacher Carlos Polanco to see.
Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times
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