Diana Lambert
Diana Lambert covers teachers and teaching. Before coming to EdSource, Diana was an education reporter for The Sacramento Bee for more than a decade. She has won numerous awards, including the 2017 James Madison Freedom of Information Award from the Society of Professional Journalism, and both a first-place honor for investigative reporting from The Inland Press Association and the McClatchy President’s Award in 2016. Before becoming an education reporter Diana was a bureau chief for the Sacramento Bee. She began her career at age 17 as a part-time proofreader for the Lodi News-Sentinel. Diana earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento.
All articles by Diana Lambert
Students, staff at mostly rural districts part of one-day vaccine protest
Thousands of California school staff and students didn’t attend school Monday in protest of a state order requiring students to be vaccinated.
Diana Lambert
October 18, 2021
Could new Covid testing and vaccine mandates make school staffing shortages in California worse?
School superintendents, already dealing with severe staff shortages, are concerned that testing and vaccine mandates could make matters worse.
Diana Lambert
October 15, 2021
Emergency response team helps California schools navigate wildfires
The California Department of Education formed its Emergency Services Team last October to help schools deal with emergencies like wildfires.
Diana Lambert
October 6, 2021
California schools prepare for thousands of Afghan refugee students
School districts throughout California are preparing to offer services ranging from translation to food to mental health support for Afghan refugees.
Diana Lambert
September 20, 2021
Covid closes rural California schools as Delta variant spreads
At least five rural schools temporarily closed this week to stop Covid outbreaks from spreading. More are planning to close next week.
Diana Lambert
September 3, 2021
Substitute shortages so severe, some districts may have to temporarily close classrooms
California's already dire substitute shortage has become a crisis for some schools. Districts are responding by increasing salaries, asking parents for help.
Diana Lambert
September 2, 2021
Culver City Unified mandates Covid vaccine for students, possibly a first for California
The district is giving students and staff until Nov. 19. Students who don't meet that date will need to enroll in independent study.
Diana Lambert And Ali Tadayon
August 18, 2021
Wildfires delay beginning of school year for some rural California schools, some for the second year
Raging wildfires have become an annual threat to school districts in California's rural regions, and this year they are disrupting reopening plans.
Diana Lambert
August 12, 2021
Confusion over mask mandate for California schools sparks tension between districts and parents
Gov. Gavin Newsom's decision to allow school districts to enforce the state mask mandate has parents demanding they drop the requirement.
Diana Lambert
July 30, 2021
California cuts the number of tests teachers must take to earn credential
California teacher candidates no longer have to take two of the four tests usually required to earn a teaching credential.
Diana Lambert
July 16, 2021
Pandemic drives sharp rise in California families opening their own home schools
Almost 35,000 California families filed a private school affidavit to home-school their children during the 2020-21 school year — more than double the number filed before the pandemic.
Diana Lambert
July 1, 2021
California school districts receive unprecedented windfall but lack teachers to help students catch up
A longstanding teacher shortage grew worse during the pandemic, and districts will have to decide which programs to staff and those they won't.
Diana Lambert
June 22, 2021
Most California schools offering summer school, planning to reopen fully in fall
California school districts are planning for summer school and for a full return to campuses in the fall, according to data released by the state.
Diana Lambert
June 7, 2021
Budget proposal would ease testing requirements for California teachers
California's legislators recommend approving a budget proposal that would reduce the number of tests required to earn a teaching credential.
Diana Lambert
June 3, 2021
Why summer school in California will prioritize fun and reconnecting students
California school districts are offering robust summer school programs with an emphasis on fun to help reconnect students to their schools.