A teacher at Triadelphia Ridge Elementary School in Ellicott City, Maryland, conducts a class in cursive writing October 15, 2013. ; Credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

A groundbreaking lawsuit that seeks to undo teacher job protections is scheduled to kick off Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The lawsuit was filed two years ago on behalf of a then-student Beatriz Vergara and eight other public school students.

Their suit alleges that teacher job protections are creating inequality by using seniority rather than teacher quality to determine layoffs.

The non-profit group Students Matter has hired well-known lawyer Ted Boutrous to represent the plaintiffs. He plans to argue that job protections reduce the quality of the pool of state teachers and leaves ineffective teachers on the job only because of seniority.

The teachers unions argue that job protections are good for kids and is an incentive to attract quality teachers. Arguments in the case open on Monday. 

Should seniority be a factor in teacher layoffs? Do job protections improve the quality of education? How could this change the landscape of California public education?

Guest: 

Ben Austin, Executive Director of Parent Revolution and he is on the board of Students Matter

Eric Heins, Vice President of the California Teacher’s Association

Jessica Peng, left, and Lauren Sit talk about proposed college admissions guidelines affecting Asian students at Lowell High School in San Francisco, Thursday, April 23, 2009. ; Credit: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Studies suggest that Asian-American students at highly selective universities have mean SAT scores considerably higher than their classmates yet are rejected at a disproportionate rate. Enrollment at the Ivies remains stagnant as the number of Asian students in the US has more than doubled in that period.

Is there a benign explanation for these numbers? Rumors of discriminatory quotas abound -- what’s really happening?  

Join us for an AirTalk special event on Wednesday February 12, 2014. 6:30 PM-8:00 PM at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy downtown (Across the Plaza from the Japanese American National). 

Click here for more details and RSVP information

Oscar and his clones at a shop in Hollywood, CA.; Credit: Craig Piersma/flickr Creative Commons

Larry Mantle and the KPCC film critics are ready for their close-ups. The 11th annual “FilmWeek on AirTalk” Academy Awards preview is coming to the historic Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard at 1:00pm on Sunday, February 23rd. 

Larry will be joined by Andy Klein of the L.A. Times Community Papers chain, Wade Major of IGN's DigiGods.com,  Claudia Puig of USA Today, Tim Cogshell of Alt Film Guide, Alynda Wheat of People Magazine, Peter Rainer of the Christian Science Monitor, Henry Sheehan of CriticsAGoGo.com, Charles Solomon of Amazon.com and Lael Loewenstein, KPCC Film Critic.

KPCC 89.3 FM'S "FilmWeek" Oscar Preview 2014 is co-presented by KPCC 89.3 FM and the American Cinematheque.

Purchase tickets at Fandango.com.

Knack's Wasabi Waiter digital game.; Credit: Courtesy Knack

Human resources is expensive. The process of hiring new employees, or replacing old ones, is costly and frequently inefficient.

According to MIT economist Erik Brynjolfsson, there’s currently a trillion dollar market for moving human capital into new work positions. That may be easier said than done. The length of the hiring process has doubled since 2009, and now includes a slew of new factors -- phone and Skype interviews, face-to-face meetings, tests, puzzles and more.

Some new tech companies have started to address the effectiveness and cost of human resources. Video games have become a larger part of job interviews. Companies like Knack, which makes a game called Wasabi Waiter, partner with companies who are looking to hire employees.

Knack works with Shell, Stacked restaurants, and several medical groups to optimize the search for high-potential employees who will fit in well.

But are these games really effective? Is it possible to measure interpersonal qualities as well as you might during a face-to-face interview? Who benefits from new hiring methods?

Guests:

 Guy Halfteck, founder and CEO of Knack, whose games are being used by Shell, UC Irvine, and others

John Boudreau, Ph.D., Professor and Research Director at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and Center for Effective Organizations; co-author of 'Beyond HR: The New Science of Human Capital'

"Captain" Daryl Dragon and his wife Toni Tennille of the music duo The Captain and Tennille, pose at the Video Software Dealers Association's annual home video convention at the Bellagio July 27, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada.; Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

It turns out that love actually couldn’t keep them together and after nearly 40 years of marriage the 70s music duo known as ‘Captain and Tennille’ are getting a divorce.

The 73 and 71 year old singers aren't alone in seeking out new loves later in life. While the divorce rate among younger Americans is dropping, the baby boomer crowd is splitting up in even greater numbers. The divorce rate for over 50s has surged 50 percent in the past 20 years.

What's behind the increasing rate of divorce among boomers? Is there something particular about the boomer mentality that makes them more likely to divorce? What's the dating pool like for the over 50 crowd? Will younger generations follow suit or are more likely to stick to till death do us part?

Guest: 

Pepper Schwartz, PhD, Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington and author of ‘Dating After 50 for Dummies’

Children at Scripps Ranch KinderCare in San Diego play in their classroom on October 1, 2013 in San Diego, CA. ; Credit: Robert Benson/Getty Images for Knowledge Unive

The U.S. routinely comes in well below other world leaders when it comes to ranking kids' abilities in reading, science and math. Now a decades-long study that started in 1971 tracks some of our country's best and brightest students.

It's found that these 'gifted' kids, who went on to become successful professionals in a wide range of fields, succeeded despite their education. The researchers argue that these students received less time and attention than kids who were in remedial classes, and therefore were more or less 'ignored' by their teachers.

The controversial No Child Left Behind law did help low-achieving students do better in the classroom, but a 2008 report found that it actually caused teachers to pay even less attention to high achieving students.

On Friday, we explored the topic with one of the researchers behind the longitudinal study on gifted children.

In part 2 of our series today, AirTalk goes hyperlocal and talks to coordinators of gifted and talented student programs from various school districts in SoCal.

Guests: 

Debbie Dillard, District coordinator of the Gifted / Talented Program at the Los Angeles Unified School District

Pam Lovett, Gifted and Talented Education coordinator at the Long Beach Unified School District

Linda Tenno, Ed.D., Principal, Victoria Elementary School and GATE coordinator of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District

Gracie Shannon-Sanborn, 5, holds a sign as she joins her father Allen Sanborn (L) and members of Progressive Democrats of America and other activists as they hold a rally in front of Rep. Henry Waxman's office on June 17, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. The protestors were asking the congressman to vote against a House farm bill that would reduce federal spending on the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program by $20.5 billion and affect food stamps and other services for the poor. ; Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

American adults ages 18 to 59 have surpassed children and the elderly to become the largest group of food stamp recipients for the first time in history. Higher unemployment, stagnant wages and a loosening of eligibility requirements have driven more working-age adults into the program, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.

The largest group of food stamp recipients now covers both unemployed Americans and the working poor who struggle to bridge the widening gulf between low-wage and high-skill jobs.

The increase brings up the question of whether the government's $80 billion-a-year food stamp program will start shrinking anytime soon. Congress is debating making cuts to the program that could take $4 billion out of the budget each year.

Should working age Americans have access to food stamps? Should having a job in today's economy guarantee you can afford to buy food? What can be done to address the root problems of unemployment and income inequality?

Guests: 

Kerry Birnbach, Nutrition Policy Advocate at the California Food Policy Advocates, a statewide public policy and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of low-income Californians by increasing their access to nutritious, affordable food.

Michael Tanner, Senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a think tank that describes itself as focusing on individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace.

James Ziliak, Economist and Director of the Center for Poverty Research at the University of Kentucky, who did the analysis for the AP report

Tarini Parti, Agriculture Reporter at POLITICO 

Former journalist Stephen Glass; Credit: Hugo Espino via Flickr Creative Commons

Former journalist Stephen Glass has lost an appeal before the California Supreme Court to practice law in California. Glass fabricated dozens of stories for the New Republic and other publications in 1998 before being discovered.

Glass has since studied law and taken the bar exam in New York and California. He was denied the right to practice law in New York for ethical and moral reasons, and the California court has reaffirmed the decision, siding with the State Bar.

Glass’s lawyers claim he has be rehabilitated, citing years of work as a paralegal, a steady relationship, and votes of confidence from his psychiatrists, employer, and even his former New Republic editor as proof that he has changed.

Can former liars be redeemed? In the world of business and legal ethics, has Glass crossed a line? What compels people to falsify information and cheat in their professional lives?

Guests:

Scott Wiltermuth, Assistant Professor of Management and Organization, USC Marshall School of Business

A sun reflects on highrises in downtown during sunset in Los Angeles, California on August 21, 2013.; Credit: JOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Times has obtained a copy of a list compiled by researchers at the University of California of nearly 1,500 older concrete buildings across the City of Los Angeles vulnerable to collapse in the event of a major earthquake. 

Buildings on the list still need to undergo more extensive testing to determine their safety. The list only covers concrete structures in the City of Los Angeles.

Are other cities outside of Los Angeles putting together a similar catalogue of at-risk buildings?

Guests:

Mary Comerio, Professor Emeritus of Architecture, UC Berkeley; Lead scientist of the concrete buildings study

 Thalia Anagnos, Professor of Engineering, San Jose State University; Researcher of the concrete buildings study

Dodger fans look at fly over the stadium by F-18 fighter jets from Naval Air Station Lemoore during pregame ceremonies during the home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates begin as the season-long celebration of Dodger Stadium's 50th anniversary kicks off on April 10, 2012.; Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Time Warner Cable launched the site for their exclusive Dodgers network. The channel’s television debut is set for February 25th, just before the Dodgers begin their spring training games.

As part of their $8.5 billion dollar deal with the Dodgers, Time Warner has sole access to games and behind-the-scenes coverage -- the cable provider is responsible for securing deals with other cable and satellite operators to air the channel.

SportsNet LA is expected to cost about $5 per subscriber. Negotiations over pricing and subscription levels have begun already and may last until just before opening day. Time Warner struck similar deals with providers for their Lakers channel.

How do  cable and satellite operators negotiate contracts when one provider has exclusive access to a channel? What is fair to consumers when it comes to pricing?

Guests:

Courtney M. Brunious, Associate Director of the University of Southern California's Sports Business Institute.

Michael Grebb, Executive Editor, CableFAX

Former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich testifies before the Joint Economic Committee January 16, 2014 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Income inequality is expected to be a major theme of President Obama's State of the Union address tonight. There are signs that the gap between the rich and poor in America has been widening for decades and there is no consensus in Washington over what, if anything, to do about it.

It's unlikely Obama will be able to move any proposals through a deadlocked Congress this year so the real developments may come on the state level. Several ideas are percolating through California and may end up as ballot initiatives in the November election.

Potential initiatives including raising the state's minimum wage to $12 per hour, a cap on hospital executive's compensation and a plan to tax oil companies for each barrel produced in the state. It's early days and it's unclear which initiatives will make it past the signature stage. But is there a new political appetite for solutions to the income inequality problem?

Is the widening wage gap something that even needs to be addressed? How does the public respond to these types of wage-equalization initiatives?

Guests:

Jon Fleischman, publisher of FlashReport.org and former executive director of the state Republican Party

Kathay Feng, executive director of California Common Cause

Joe Garofoli, wealth and political reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle

A gay man holds the gay and lesbian flag with the US flag during a demonstration in West Hollywood, California, May 15, 2008, after the decision by the California Supreme Court to effectively greenlight same-sex marriage. ; Credit: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images

The City of West Hollywood is reconsidering whether City Hall should fly the rainbow flag.

The flag was first raised in June, after a WeHo resident and business owner proposed it at a City Council meeting. But this month, the flag was unceremoniously taken down by city officials, prompting outcry and the move to rethink the removal.

Some 40 percent of residents in WeHo are gay. Proponents say given the city’s sizable LGBT population, it makes sense for City Hall to fly the rainbow flag, a symbol of solidarity and pride of the community. But critics say that WeHo already sports numerous displays of LGBT empowerment, including the rainbow crosswalks, and the city should also be inclusive of its non-LGBT community members.

UPDATE: In response to the concerns of some community members about the rainbow flag no longer being displayed atop the City Hall building, the City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, briefly discussed the issue. There was a decision at that meeting to add an agenda item to a future City Council meeting to revisit the discussion and weigh the issue. The next City Council meeting is on Monday, February 3, 2014

WEST HOLLYWOOD STATEMENT:

“At its November 18, 2013 meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to affirm the practice of displaying only the official flags of the United States, the State of California, and the City of West Hollywood on public facilities and to fly the flags at half-mast in recognition of a tragedy or someone’s death.

The decision also affirmed the policy of displaying unofficial flags on public property and public facilities for special occasions such as the month of November for Transgender Awareness Month and June for Gay Pride month. However, the rainbow flags will continue to fly permanently on flagpoles in the medians along Santa Monica Boulevard between Robertson and La Cienega Boulevards.”

Guests: 

John Duran, City of West Hollywood councilmember

Tom Demille, Past WeHo city council candidate and a community organizer

An artist's representation of DNA.; Credit: /iStockphoto.com

Scientists working with the Department of Defense say they are closer to DNA analysis that takes just 90 minutes instead of two to three weeks, as first reported by USA Today.  The science of DNA analysis revolutionized criminal investigations - small and large.  Reducing the time DNA analysis takes to just 90 minutes could greatly aid law enforcement in criminal investigations.  According to USA Today, rapid DNA analysis programs being tested by the Pentagon could allow investigators to test DNA in the field, as opposed to sending samples to a clean lab.

According to Jenn Elzea, a pentagon spokeswoman that spoke with USA Today, Pentagon researchers expect to finish prototypes of the Accelerated Nuclear DNA Equipment system by June. Elzea said the Pentagon is developing guidance “for the use of rapid DNA analysis.”  

What impacts will faster DNA identification have on criminal investigations? Aside from law enforcement, what fields will benefit from faster DNA testing? How will rapid DNA analysis be regulated?  

Guest: 

Chris Asplen, executive director of the Global Alliance for Rapid DNA Testing; Former U.S. Assistant Attorney. Global Alliance is a trade association established to ensure the reliability of rapid DNA testing as it is integrated into judicial systems and other applications

U.S. President Barack Obama sits at his desk in the Oval Office January 27, 2014 at the White House in Washington, DC. Obama will deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol on the night of January 28.; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

During tonight's State of the Union address, President Barack Obama will announce an executive order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour for federally contracted workers, according to a White House statement.

Economists at the leftist Economic Policy Institute estimate "1 in 5 employees working for private firms for the benefit of the federal government are likely working for poverty wages."   The move comes as the president has continued to push Congress to raise the minimum wage for all workers, which has met resistance from Republican leaders.  

Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News Sunday, "The minimum wage is mostly an entry level wage for young people.... We have a crisis in employment among young people right now, and generation 18 to 30, people that got out of college, are finding there are no jobs for them. The last thing we want to do is have even fewer jobs for younger people."

How could this executive action affect the debate in Congress? What will be the economic impact of the policy?

Guests: 

Ross Eisenbrey, Vice President, Economic Policy Institute (a think tank focused on low- and middle-income workers);  former commissioner of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission; former staff attorney and legislative director in the U.S. House of Representatives and committee counsel in the U.S. Senate.

Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute (a think tank focused on free-market principles) and former chief economist of the US Department of Labor; Economist for Presidents George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) wants the public to draft a law about the probate process using a new wiki-style site on the Internet.; Credit: Assemblyman Mike Gatto

New legislation in California may outlaw criminal defence based on economic privilege. The bill, proposed by California Assemblyman Mike Gatto, is inspired by a drunk driving case in Texas.

The 16-year-old perpetrator, who admitted his guilt in the accidental deaths of four victims and serious injury of a fifth, heavily incorporated his upbringing into his defense, claiming his rich, neglectful parents raised him with no consequences. The driver, Ethan Couch, was sentenced to time in a private substance abuse facility (paid for by his parents) and 10 years probation -- he will serve no time in jail.

Though it remains unclear whether the “affluenza” defense is what decided the case, the backlash caused by the decision has been fierce. Gatto’s bill seeks to prevent use of this defense in California.

Can overly indulgent parents negatively affect their children’s outlook on crime and punishment? Is the “affluenza” defense valid? Is it worth banning?

Guests: 

Mike Gatto, Assemblyman, Forty-Third District representing the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, North Hollywood and others.

Darren Kavinoky, founder of 800-no-cuffs, the Kavinoky law firm, with offices in Los Angeles and throughout California

A clock and the motto "In God We Trust" over the Speaker's rostrum in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber are seen December 8, 2008 in Washington, DC. ; Credit: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

The United States may have freedom of religion enshrined into our Constitution, but a new report from the Pew Research Center shows that we may not be doing the best job of protecting those freedoms.

According to the Pew Research Center's Religion and Public Life Project, the United States places a "moderate" level of restrictions on religious practice compared to the other countries in the world.

The study scores 198 countries based on their tolerance for religious freedom. Countries either get a "high", "moderate" or "low" ranking depending on how friendly they are to religious diversity. According to the study, hostility towards religion in the US shot up in 2009 and remains at an elevated level.

Those restrictions include both at the governmental level and "social attitudes", which encompass negative or violent attitudes towards religion. Globally, religious hostilities have reached a six-year high with the sharpest increases in North Africa and the Middle East. In Asia, China claimed a spot in the "high" category for the first time.

How exactly is 'religious hostility' calculated? Is the United States doing enough to protect religious freedoms? Do you feel your religion is being encroached or repressed here in California?

Guest:

Brian Grim, senior researcher in religion and world affairs at the Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project

Guns seized by the New York Police Department (NYPD), in the largest seizure of illegal guns in the city's history, are displayed on a table during a press conference on August 19, 2013 in New York City. ; Credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Silicon Valley angel investor Ron Conway has put up $4 million for tech heads and inventors to come up with the best technology that could keep firearms from falling into the wrong hands.

The Smart Tech Challenges Foundation launched the first of four $1 million challenges this week and applicants have until March 31 to turn in their designs and ideas. The key to safer guns, organizers believe, rests in the kind of tracking and locking technologies already employed in  safeguarding smart phones.    

Guest:

Daniel Terdiman, senior writer at CNET who wrote about the challenge

Jim Schaff, Vice President of Marketing, Yardarm Technologies based in Capitola, California, close to Santa Cruz. One of the companies that will enter the challenge.

A view of a French translation of the Book of Mormon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints October 23, 2011 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is part of the Mormon religion, a Christian religion founded by Joseph Smith following his publishing of the Book of Mormon in 1830. ; Credit: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

The United States may have freedom of religion enshrined into our Constitution but a new report from the Pew Research Center shows that we may not be doing the best job of protecting those freedoms.

According to the Pew Research Center's Religion and Public Life Project, the United States places a "moderate" level of restrictions on religious practice compared to the other countries in the world. The study scores 198 countries based on their tolerance for religious freedom. Countries either get a "high", "moderate" or "low" ranking depending on how friendly they are to religious diversity.

According to the study, hostility towards religion in the US shot up in 2009 and remains at an elevated level. Those restrictions include both at the governmental level and "social attitudes", which encompass negative or violent attitudes towards religion.

Globally, religious hostilities have reached a six-year high with the sharpest increases in North Africa and the Middle East. In Asia, China claimed a spot in the "high" category for the first time.

How exactly is 'religious hostility' calculated? Is the United States doing enough to protect religious freedoms? Do you feel your religion is being encroached or repressed here in California?

Guest: 

Brian Grim, senior researcher in religion and world affairs at the Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project

Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter speaks at a press conference on January 28 2014 at The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago Illinois. Citing what they deem as the NCAA's abdication of responsibility to protect athletes from injury, the College Athletes Association (CAPA) announced the creation of the new labor organization to represent college football and basketball players.; Credit: David Banks/Getty Images

Football players at Northwestern University and other Division I schools have taken first steps towards unionization. For the first time, college players are asking to be represented by a labor union.

Ramogi Huma, president of the National College Players Association, filed a petition on behalf of the players to be formally recognized as a new union, the College Athletes Players Association, or CAPA.

Kain Colter, spokesperson for the Northwestern players who want to unionize, says a majority of the team is looking for support -- not just money, but a “seat at the table” and the ability to be part of the decision making process in college sports.

Should college players be protected by a union and treated as employees? Does unionizing college athletics diminish the integrity of the college experience? What’s the best way to accommodate young athletes?

Guests: 

Ramogi Huma, President of the College Athletes Players Association (CAPA), founder and president of the National College Players Association, and former UCLA linebacker

Zev Eigan, Associate Professor Law at Northwestern Law School and Associate Professor of Management & Strategy (by courtesy) at Kellogg School of Management

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) sits on a couch as she prepares for responding to President Barack Obama tonight's State of the Union address January 28, 2014 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. McMorris Rodgers, the chair of the House Republican Conference, was picked to deliver the response.; Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers had a fairly low bar to reach in selling a Republican response to President Obama's State of the Union address.  

Last year, Rep. Marco Rubio's performance - including an awkward lunge and swig from a tiny bottle of Poland Springs - had Republicans and Democrats alike cringing in shame and schadenfreude.

Still, Rodgers had an opportunity to become a new star for the GOP and to highlight what's best about her party to an audience of millions. Seated on her office sofa - flanked by flag, fireplace and family photos - she spoke clearly, but perhaps not compellingly.

Why is the opposition response often stilted and unsightly? What would make it sing?

Guest: 

Jonathan Wilcox, Republican strategist; former speechwriter for Governor Pete Wilson

Morty Shallman, Vice President and Creative Director of Shallman Communications in Encino