Union: LA-area teacher who killed himself was upset over low teacher ranking by newspaper

Union: Low ranking a factor in teacher’s suicide

SOUTH GATE, Calif. — Teachers union officials say a Los Angeles-area man who killed himself had been despondent over his ranking as a “less effective” teacher in a report published by the Los Angeles Times.

Mathew Taylor, chair of the United Teachers Los Angeles South Area, said Monday that colleagues of Rigoberto Ruelas Jr. at Miramonte Elementary reported he had been upset over the ranking.

The Times in August published the district’s rankings of how effective Los Angeles elementary teachers were, based on their students’ test scores.

Ruelas’ body was found Sunday in the Angeles National Forest. Sheriff’s investigators say he jumped off a bridge.

The union has called on the Times to remove the rankings from its website.

In a brief statement, The Times extended its condolences to the family and noted the death is under investigation.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SOUTH GATE, Calif. (AP) — Teachers union officials say a Los Angeles-area man who killed himself had been despondent over his ranking as a “less effective” teacher by the Los Angeles Times.

Mathew Taylor, chair of the United Teachers Los Angeles South Area, said Monday that colleagues of Rigoberto Ruelas Jr. at Miramonte Elementary reported he had been upset over the ranking.

The Times in August published the rankings of how effective Los Angeles elementary teachers were based on their students’ test scores.

Ruelas’ body was found Sunday in the Angeles National Forest. Sheriff’s investigators say he jumped off a bridge.

The union has called on the Times to remove the rankings from its website.

In a brief statement, The Times extended its condolences to the family and noted the death is under investigation.