Cara Nixon
Cara Nixon is a former EdSource reporting intern and now an EdSource contributor. She is currently pursuing a degree from the UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. She recently graduated with honors from Oregon State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and applied journalism. As a student, she worked as a reporter and editor at local Corvallis newspapers, focusing mainly on COVID-19, homelessness and community issues. Since moving to Berkeley, she has worked as the education beat reporter for Richmond Confidential, covering West Contra Costa Unified School District, and as an intern for UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program. Her primary journalistic passion is reporting on education and issues. She is expected to graduate in May 2024.
All articles by Cara Nixon
WCCUSD school psychologists face burnout due to consistent staff shortages
West Contra Costa Unified is far from the only district in California trying to cope with the problem.
Cara Nixon
February 7, 2024
Early literacy funding raises reading scores of California's lowest performing schools
Seventy-five elementary schools benefited from a $50 million settlement of a lawsuit against the state; they were encouraged to adopt “science of reading” improvement strategies.
Cara Nixon And John Fensterwald
December 5, 2023
WCCUSD's literacy task force to explore best ways to teach students how to read
West Contra Costa Unified School District has set up a new literacy task force to answer long-held questions about the best ways to teach students how to read.
Cara Nixon
November 30, 2023
Regional Parent Center opens in Contra Costa middle school as part of community schools initiative
Lovonya DeJean Middle School in West Contra Costa Unified School District has opened a new community resource center for parents, seeking to provide additional support to families who struggle to meet their own basic needs in hopes of improving student outcomes.
Cara Nixon
October 26, 2023
His job is helping small California school districts with their unique needs
As head of California's Small School Districts' Association, Tim Taylor's job is to help the state's small and mostly rural districts overcome the pandemic and natural disasters of recent years.
Cara Nixon
July 31, 2023
When California educators return to their rural hometowns, the result can be ‘brain gain’
Californians who return to their rural hometowns and get involved in public education find satisfaction in reconnecting with their roots.
Cara Nixon
July 19, 2023
How one rural school district is overcoming geographic barriers to higher education
Geographic distance from college campuses can often make it difficult for Modoc High School’s 233 students to even dream about attending university after graduation. The staff members at Modoc Joint Unified School District are trying to change that.
Cara Nixon
July 14, 2023
How the STARS College Network will help California’s rural students
The University of Southern California and Caltech have joined the STARS College Network, alongside 14 other schools across the country, with hopes of improving rural students' access to information about college and increasing enrollment on campus.
Cara Nixon
June 23, 2023
UC Berkeley continues with People’s Park student housing development despite continued resistance
In the face of objections from some students and community members, UC Berkeley is forging ahead with plans to build housing at People's Park.