Kyle Stokes
Education Reporter

Is your local school any good? What does "good" even mean? I help parents understand what defines quality education and which tools let them assess — and sometimes even choose — their own schools. I examine the forces that drive which students get advantages and which students get left behind, in school and beyond.
Stories by Kyle Stokes
SoCal storm triggers mudslides, killing at least 15 and destroying homes
There were also at least 25 injured, with thousands still under evacuation orders. In Burbank, the storm overflowed a storm basin Tuesday afternoon, sending mud flowing through.
With King’s departure, more turnover at the top of LAUSD
Michelle King's decision to step aside was the fifth time since 2006 that the role of L.A. Unified School District superintendent has changed hands.
We talk the future of LAUSD, after Superintendent Michelle King’s announces departure
Michelle King, who has been on medical leave from her job as the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District since mid-September, announced Friday she will not return to the office.
Battling cancer, LAUSD superintendent to step down
Michelle King, the L.A. Unified School District school district has been on medical leave since mid-September. She announced Friday she won't return.
Thomas Fire locals started donating to this Ojai store. They haven't stopped
Neighbors didn't wait for government aid to start arriving in Upper Ojai. Their ad-hoc relief operation in a corner store parking lot is now a community hub.
Oil seeps ignited by Thomas Fire still quietly burning
The Thomas Fire ignited naturally-occurring oil seepages. They're still burning — and though they don't pose high risk, they're tricky to put out.
LAUSD ramps up inquiry at Rodriguez's former charter school
L.A. Unified alleges a pattern of "neglecting to provide comprehensive responses and accurate information" about Rodriguez's alleged financial misdeeds. The charter says it's done nothing wrong.
Thomas Fire grows to 143,000 acres; some evacuation orders lifted
On Friday afternoon, officials identified the only known victim of the Thomas Fire, 70 year-old Virginia Pesola.
Frustrated with official sources, Ojai residents crowdsource Thomas Fire updates
Some Ojai residents, ex-residents and evacuees say they've been frustrated with what they feel are infrequent or incomplete updates about the spreading Thomas Fire — both from local news outlets and from fire officials.
80,000 LAUSD students missed a ton of school last year
Missing the amount of school these LAUSD students missed not only puts their education at risk — it also costs the district money, a task force has concluded.
California's most racially isolated schools, in one map
A recent analysis shined fresh light on where to find racially homogenous schools in California — so KPCC put the state's data on a map.
House tax bill could make it harder to build charter schools
The U.S. House's tax bill proposes to end several programs that have been crucial to financing charter school projects nationwide.
Some Granada parents want out of 'blended learning' program
A dispute between LAUSD and a prestigious charter school raises a question: what sort of education do parents have a right to expect from their local public school?
LAUSD: There may soon be an app for that
L.A. Unified school board members will vote Tuesday on whether to create a new district mobile app that would serve as a hub for parents and students.
How LAUSD oversees charter schools just changed in a big way
An eleventh-hour deal that saved 11 schools from denial by the LAUSD board could fundamentally alter how district leaders regulate charters for years to come.