LAUSD needs to convert libraries to Test Prep Centers

notyetLAUSD wants to turn LAUSD Libraries into Test Prep Centers pending approval of the a contract with the right online service provider for our test prep materials.

In reference to why LAUSD is cutting librarians Dr. Deasy recently stated that in addition to budget concerns "research shows libraries don't teach literacy."  I get the budget thing, but why say libraries don’t teach literacy, unless you know where the real value of an LAUSD education lies.   We love literacy rates at notyetLAUSD and can’t wait to get those numbers bumping.  We are thankful to Dr. Deasy for finding this research to help make our kids college and career ready

We know libraries happen to hold more than just a bunch of words, they hold information.  More importantly they hold information that is organized.  We can argue about the value of the Dewey decimal system in the age of natural language search queries, but organizing information is a hugely important skill for college bound students.  If we are to prepare college ready students they are going to need to know how find and evaluate information.  The skills of a librarian are the most essential skills of a citizen of the digital age.   

What we see as the spark of genius in Dr. Deasy’s plan is that he is showing the leadership for career ready citizens.  NotyetLAUSD thinks this is truly inspired leadership to raise kids for a career path, not just in knowledge, but also in the skills of wilful suspension of self-enlightenment that left uncapped leads to too many liberal arts majors.  

Creating testing centers in the space once occupied by libraries is a great way to capitalize on the large space often sitting awkwardly in the center of a school.  We’re not sure if we should use Kaplan, Princeton Review, or one of the other up an coming test preparation suites that can be bought online.  Clearly the future is online and our test preparation materials need to move out of the paper world like libraries and move into the online spectrum.

LAUSD has already shown how a lack of libraries for teachers goes along with increased student performance on the Tests..   This district demands data-driven instruction and best practices, without providing any source for finding this information (a library with education journals).  LAUSD has the desire for data-driven and best practices but fails at providing the most basic education journals to its staff.  None-the-less test scores go up year after year without providing teachers a single education journal, this is just further proof libraries aren’t needed when scores are the focus.  


Dump a kid in an ocean of data and they drown.

Give them a search engine and they get sucked into the strongest current.  

Give a kid the basic skills of a librarian and they can navigate an ocean of data.  

Beaudry Fish

Rif's in LAUSD

LAUSD is making more DATA

notyetLAUSD open response to AALA

Dear AALA,

Stop your whining. This is your only warning. notyetLAUSD will not tolerate the blather of complaints put forth in your recent editorial “THE CLIMATE OF FEAR AT BEAUDRY." We are for the children, and we would suggest you get on the side of children too. You don’t want to be an administrator, fall back on your teaching credential. There is no shortage of people waiting to take your position.


“When secrecy, isolation, cronyism, self-protection and a “gotcha” attitude prevail, teamwork is impossible.” If this is what it take to teach the 21st century student, then we are all aboard.


“They do the minimum necessary to get along and oftentimes turn on their colleagues.“ – That is why we have high standards, because you dullards are good for just the minimum.


“Cynicism increases. Allowed to go unchecked, fear can be insidious, damaging the health of individuals involved and, ultimately, the organization itself.” – Blah, blah, blah


“Ensure department heads manage their staff members by engaging their talent and energy as opposed to demanding sheeplike compliance.” -We are wolf pack, we’ve made a pledge. If you are not part of the wolf pack, you are a sheep.

notyetLAUSD knows that fear is a powerful tool that we need to capitalize on the fear culture in these economic times to reach our goals. The 21st century student needs to be prepared for the ultra-competitive world they are going to enter. If administrators and teachers are not able to cope with our 21st century methods, they shouldn't be in front of children. Compliance and the status quo have no place in the 21st century. notyetLAUSD knows where this world is going with sheep-like compliance and we’re following the path like a pack of wolves.

Life in the HELLausd

Original available here

go away #occupyLAUSD

notyetLAUSD is insulted by the 99% #occupyLAUSD movement.  With current Superintendent John Deasy seeking “$200 million in the first three to five years, that is correct. And then I want $500 million overall.” Who do you think is going to pay that kind of money?  The top 1%...duh.  Do you think the top 1% will donate money if there are calls for the removal of corporate money and influence.  Do you think the top 1% are going to give money if they can't direct how it’s spent, we’re not expecting any donations here. 

Already there is a clear role the top 1% has played in shaping current LAUSD policy, look no further than LAUSD sponsors Walton Family, Wasserman and Broad who pay the salary of multiple high level district leaders who have transitioned from Billionaire Boy’s club salary to LAUSD salaries.  Even the Superintendent is a product of the 1% Broad’s Superintendent School.  The 1% have already seen a huge return on investment in their work with LAUSD, we cannot reach out private money fund-raising efforts unless we continue to court them.  We are going to need the top 1% business savvy if we are to start our “elect-to-work” agreements, they are the best at using such agreements.

If we don’t do what the top 1% say, we won’t be able to hire a librarian.  Are you , the 99%, saying you hate librarians?

notyetLAUSD would ask that the protesters simply go home.  Better yet, we would like the 99% to come back with an apology for offending the 1% and our current Superintendent. 

In solidarity to those who can fund our school's recovery, notyetLAUSD

P.S. 1%'s please excuse the protesters we would really like your money, and more importantly your leadership.  Some of us here do value$$$ your work.