Jemma K Stephenson
@jemmakstephenson.bsky.social
Education reporter for San Diego Union Tribune
Reposted by Jemma K Stephenson
The model Learn4Life schools use is non-classroom-based (kids mostly work remotely) and independent-study (kids don't attend remote classes but rather complete assignments on their own).
To some teachers, that lack of structure was especially tough for their vulnerable student population. 4/x
To some teachers, that lack of structure was especially tough for their vulnerable student population. 4/x
‘This isn’t right’: Teachers question priorities, track record of Learn4Life charter schools
The network’s model has drawn criticism of its effectiveness, and some teachers described its schools as more focused on funding than on results.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The model Learn4Life schools use is non-classroom-based (kids mostly work remotely) and independent-study (kids don't attend remote classes but rather complete assignments on their own).
To some teachers, that lack of structure was especially tough for their vulnerable student population. 4/x
To some teachers, that lack of structure was especially tough for their vulnerable student population. 4/x
Reposted by Jemma K Stephenson
What schools really cared about, teachers said, was posting high average daily attendance, or ADA — the basis for school funding in California.
“You gotta get ADA. That was the real driver,” one said.
But they had qualms about how they say they were expected to do it.
“You gotta get ADA. That was the real driver,” one said.
But they had qualms about how they say they were expected to do it.
‘This isn’t right’: Teachers question priorities, track record of Learn4Life charter schools
The network’s model has drawn criticism of its effectiveness, and some teachers described its schools as more focused on funding than on results.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
What schools really cared about, teachers said, was posting high average daily attendance, or ADA — the basis for school funding in California.
“You gotta get ADA. That was the real driver,” one said.
But they had qualms about how they say they were expected to do it.
“You gotta get ADA. That was the real driver,” one said.
But they had qualms about how they say they were expected to do it.
Reposted by Jemma K Stephenson
“It just felt like I’m perpetuating this problem of this kid falling further and further behind even when they’re trying. I remember feeling at the time, ‘This isn’t right, it shouldn’t be this way.’”
“We didn’t graduate enough students.”
“We didn’t treat them like we should’ve.”
“We didn’t graduate enough students.”
“We didn’t treat them like we should’ve.”
‘This isn’t right’: Teachers question priorities, track record of Learn4Life charter schools
The network’s model has drawn criticism of its effectiveness, and some teachers described its schools as more focused on funding than on results.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:08 PM
“It just felt like I’m perpetuating this problem of this kid falling further and further behind even when they’re trying. I remember feeling at the time, ‘This isn’t right, it shouldn’t be this way.’”
“We didn’t graduate enough students.”
“We didn’t treat them like we should’ve.”
“We didn’t graduate enough students.”
“We didn’t treat them like we should’ve.”
Reposted by Jemma K Stephenson
First up: The education.
Kristen Taketa spoke with a dozen current and former teachers and administrators. They shared a sense of frustration at their schools’ priorities and regret at the schools' track records. 2/x
Kristen Taketa spoke with a dozen current and former teachers and administrators. They shared a sense of frustration at their schools’ priorities and regret at the schools' track records. 2/x
‘This isn’t right’: Teachers question priorities, track record of Learn4Life charter schools
The network’s model has drawn criticism of its effectiveness, and some teachers described its schools as more focused on funding than on results.
www.sandiegouniontribune.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:08 PM
First up: The education.
Kristen Taketa spoke with a dozen current and former teachers and administrators. They shared a sense of frustration at their schools’ priorities and regret at the schools' track records. 2/x
Kristen Taketa spoke with a dozen current and former teachers and administrators. They shared a sense of frustration at their schools’ priorities and regret at the schools' track records. 2/x
Reposted by Jemma K Stephenson
I and others at @calmatters.org are tracking all 39 lawsuits and counting here:
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...
Resistance state: Tracking California's lawsuits against the new Trump administration
California under Gov. Gavin Newsom is suing the Trump administration to protect birthright citizenship, stop the mass firing of federal workers and sustain funding for health and science research.
calmatters.org
August 20, 2025 at 3:47 AM
I and others at @calmatters.org are tracking all 39 lawsuits and counting here:
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...