EdSource Commentaries
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All articles by EdSource Commentaries
Time to retire the tainted, unfair basic skills test for teachers
The CBEST exam should be thrown out because there are plenty of other ways to demonstrate academic competency that don't discriminate against people of color.
John Affeldt
October 11, 2023
We need all hands on deck to ensure students get the financial aid they need for college
The coming year will bring a new, easier FAFSA financial aid form, but there will be less time to complete it.
Catalina Cifuentes and Marlene Garcia
October 10, 2023
It’s time to repair our fractured math system
Ensuring math opportunity for California students means investing in quality teachers.
Kyndall Brown and Pamela Burdman
October 8, 2023
Sexual harassment audit has changed my view of my campus
The Sonoma State Chancellor’s Office formally investigated only half of the reported sexual assault incidents, so it pains me to know that there are possibly victims in these cases who weren’t taken seriously.
Olivia Keeler
October 4, 2023
Don't count on the 'science of math' for your answers; it doesn't exist yet
It's time for California to invest heavily in the research to determine which teaching methods works best for students in the math classroom and which don't
Arun Ramanathan
October 2, 2023
CSU tuition hike creates more debt, longer time to graduate for neediest students
CSU's most economically disadvantaged students would need to clock in twenty or even upwards of thirty hours of paid work a week, in certain regions, just to afford the cost of attendance.
Dominic Quan Treseler
October 2, 2023
Artificial Intelligence is already here; we need to make access more equitable
California students are already using AI tools like ChatGPT in their schoolwork. Education leaders need to invest in ensuring all students have access to these powerful new tools, and all teachers know how to effectively integrate AI in their lessons.
Linda Choi and Candice Handjojo
September 26, 2023
Teachers can advance educational equity through clear, high expectations
Research has shown students faced with higher goals and expectations from their teachers are more likely to graduate from college than peers who had not been similarly challenged.
Dionna Smith
September 24, 2023
California's public charter schools — and their students — deserve equitable funding
Under the Local Control Funding Formula, public charters are penalized for serving a greater share of high-need students than their district.
Mala Batra
September 19, 2023
California leaders should focus on getting our money's worth from public schools
Per-student revenue for school districts as well as total compensation for administrators and teachers is rising while student test scores are dismal.
Todd Maddison
September 18, 2023
California’s $115 million investment in zero-textbook-cost program at risk of falling short
The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office can salvage California's investment in zero-textbook-cost programs by providing more guidance, coordination and time and support for planning.
Lisa Petrides and Michelle Pilati
September 13, 2023
Let's shatter stereotypes about what an AP class — and students — look like
Teachers have the power to make young people feel better about themselves, and eventually to help them become more confident as they consider what kind of humans they really want to be.
Leonard Finch
September 13, 2023
How our district moved the needle on early literacy (and you can too)
Without big spending or complicated new programs, Palo Alto Unified school district has seen a dramatic improvement in reading scores for its highest need students. It's a model any district can adopt.
Todd Collins
September 11, 2023
Sports and play are even more essential for mental health after the pandemic
Children from homes with income under $35,000 a year play far less than kids from affluent households, and they are unable to access the resources they need to be active.
Renata Simril
September 7, 2023
Unhoused students need support and compassion, not scorn
Here's what California school districts should do to improve the well-being of the 187,000 kids who have no homes.