Publications About Student Issues

EdSource offers a wide range of publications that provide policy analysis and data about student issues in California public schools. This page lists recent EdSource publications, including EdSource Reports that you can order through our secure e-commerce system, and briefs you can download free.

Note: Downloadable publications are available as PDFs. You will need Acrobat Reader to view and print them.

As a non-profit organization, EdSource depends on the sale of these publications to help support our work. We thank you for your order and for respecting our copyright by not reproducing our publications without permission. Contact the EdSource office about our generous bulk discounts for multiple copies.

Raising African American Student Achievement: California Goals, Local Outcomes (May 2008) This 24-page report looks at how California's nearly half-million African American students are doing academically and explores how and where these students are succeeding. The report summarizes state-level trends and looks at varying outcomes across districts and schools. Free download. READ MORE     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $8.00

2008 Resource Cards on California Schools (April 2008) This convenient spiral-bound volume contains the latest data on school finance as well as information on students, teachers, and California's accountability system. (If you experience problems when ordering online, please contact our office directly at 650/917-9481.) READ MORE     qty: Buy to download now (select Qty. 1), $10.00     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $10.00

Frequently Asked Questions About the No Child Left Behind Act or NCLB (August 2007) A comprehensive list of questions and answers about the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Updated August 2007. (Available free online.) READ MORE

Trends and Comparisons in California School Finance (January 2007) This data-rich report looks at how school district revenues and expenditures in California have changed over time, how they compare to other states, and how they relate to state and federal reform policies. READ MORE     qty: Buy to download now (select Qty. 1), $5.00     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $5.00

CAHSEE at a Glance (February 2006) This page lists EdSource resources that provide insight and information on the California High School Exit Exam. READ MORE

Alternatives to the CAHSEE were considered (February 2006) While many feel that the CAHSEE is a good measure of what students should know to graduate from high school, others believe that alternatives should be provided. Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell’s office developed a chart of alternatives and their advantages and disadvantages. READ MORE

The California High School Exit Exam Gets Real (February 2006) The California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) holds students, rather than schools accountable for performance. Debate continues over whether the exit exam requirement is fair for all students. This report maps out the history and status of the exam and addresses key issues surrounding it. READ MORE     qty: Buy to download now (select Qty. 1), $5.00     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $5.00

How Hard is the Exit Exam? (February 2006) The California High School Exit Exam is a pass/fail test consisting of two parts—English language arts and math. These sample questions offer clues about the exam's difficulty. READ MORE

How California Ranks: A National Perspective (November 2005) Is California holding its own in K-12 education compared with other states? This eight-page annual rankings report includes numerous charts and graphs that detail the state’s standing nationally. READ MORE     qty: Buy to download now (select Qty. 1), $5.00     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $5.00

California's Middle Grade Students (March 2004) This EdSource report examines how California's middle grade students are performing against state standards-particularly in algebra. It also discusses the challenges of educating middle grades students and the practices that seem to have the most success in engaging them in school. READ MORE     qty: Buy to download now (select Qty. 1), $8.00     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $8.00

Middle Grades: The challenge of meeting high expectations (March 2004) California's new math standards are causing more 6th, 7th and 8th graders to take Algebra I. This two-page publication examines the importance of algebra instruction, and the state's progress toward helping all students master the topic. Free download. READ MORE

California's Lowest Performing Schools: who they are, the challenges they face, and how they're improving (February 2003) This timely new publication provides a comprehensive profile of California’s original Decile 1 and 2 schools, as ranked on the Academic Performance Index. Our 24-page report describes the progress these schools have made to improve and explores strategies that may be helping. The findings in our report can help inform policymakers, educators, and the public. READ MORE     qty: Buy to download now (select Qty. 1), $8.00     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $8.00

Narrowing the Achievement Gap: A review of research, policies, and issues (January 2003) This report documents the nature of the achievement gap in California, using national and California test scores and other student performance data. In addition, it reviews seminal research on the gap, describes some strategies that have been used to address it, and points to steps California could take to narrow it. READ MORE     qty: Buy to download now (select Qty. 1), $8.00     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $8.00

Narrowing the Achievement Gap: A review of research, policies, and issues (January 2003) This report documents the nature of the achievement gap in California, using national and California test scores and other student performance data. In addition, it reviews seminal research on the gap, describes some strategies that have been used to address it, and points to steps California could take to narrow it. READ MORE

Executive Summary: What We Have Learned About K-3 Class Size Reduction in California (September 2002) This special version of the executive summary for the four-year study of class size reduction in California by the CSR Consortium contains additional graphs and references to help clarify findings. To download free now, READ MORE     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $5.00

California Student Achievement: Multiple views of K-12 progress (June 2002) How well is California doing? Using data and graphs, this 20-page report zeros in on student achievement in areas such as English language arts and mathematics for high school students, and for subgroups such as English learners and children from low-income families. Free download. READ MORE     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $3.00

Who Are California's Students? (June 2002) This four-page EdFact offers a snapshot of California’s changing student population as well as a look at future trends. Free download. READ MORE

California's Student Data System: In Need of Improvement (May 2002) This four-page EdFact explores the use of longitudinally linked data and how such a system would benefit California. To download free now, READ MORE

Is California on the Right Track? Speakers debate how best to meet rising expectations for K-12 education (May 2002) This 12-page report summarizes speakers' comments from EdSource's Forum, which examined whether California was moving in the right direction to meet the rising expectations for K–12 education. To download free now, READ MORE     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $5.00

Expansion of Out-of-School Programs Aims at Improving Student Achievement (February 2002) This 24-page report examines the focus on out-of-school programs as a way to help improve California students' academic achievement. It also looks at research about creating quality programs and emerging policy questions around expanded government funding for them. READ MORE     qty: Buy to download now (select Qty. 1), $8.00     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $8.00

How Much is Enough? Funding California's Public Schools (April 2000) Would additional funding help California's schools improve student achievement? Just how much funding would be adequate—and where would it best be spent—for California public schools to meet today's academic standards? This 24-page report frames the issues and describes the controversies surrounding these questions. READ MORE     qty: Buy to download now (select Qty. 1), $8.00     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $8.00

Peers, Parents and Schools: How They Affect Student Achievement (June 1999) This four-page EdFact from the 1999 EdSource conference offers two views of the cultural, familial, and institutional factors that have the most influence on student learning. To read online now, READ MORE

Special Education Funding: The Other School Finance System (May 1995) This 12-page report provides an overview of the special education system's policies and issues, and explores their implications for all California children.     qty: Buy to receive by mail, $4.00