David Washburn
David Washburn covered school climate and discipline issues for EdSource.
He’s been practicing the art and craft of journalism for 25 years, most recently in the nonprofit sphere as editor of Voice of OC and reporter/editor at Voice of San Diego. He spent eight years as an enterprise/investigative reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune. His work included award-winning stories on financial elder abuse, lack of oversight of contractors in Iraq, San Diego’s high rate officer-involved shootings and mismanagement at the San Diego Red Cross. Early in his career he worked as a researcher for Dateline NBC. He has a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Missouri.
All articles by David Washburn
Gov. Brown vetoes expansion of California’s school suspension ban
Brown's decision is a bitter disappointment for youth and civil rights advocates who have made eliminating suspensions for "disruption and defiance," which are disproportionately meted out to students of color, a priority.
David Washburn
October 1, 2018
Voting rolls are getting younger in California as pre-registration of teens tops 200,000
A surge in the pre-registration of 16- and 17-year-olds is an indicator that the youth vote might play a larger role than usual in this year’s mid-term elections.
David Washburn
September 25, 2018
Suspensions in California schools drop, but trouble spots remain
Instruction days lost to suspensions dropped nearly by half from 2011-12 to 2016-17, according to a new report. But African American and Native American students -- and students with disabilities -- are still suspended at disproportionately high rates.
David Washburn
September 20, 2018
School-based health care a low priority in California
The state ranks at or near the bottom nationwide in student access to health and counseling services. But all schools could offer basic care for $90 in added annual spending per student, report finds.
David Washburn
September 18, 2018
Most districts complying with California’s sex ed law, but resistance remains
The vast majority of large urban districts statewide have implemented the 2015 California Healthy Youth Act. Yet uproar over the landmark law has garnered headlines in a few places, most notably Orange County.
David Washburn
September 13, 2018
Chronic absenteeism pervasive in California and nationwide, report shows
Nearly 8 million students nationwide were chronically absent during the 2015-16 school year; California accounted for more than 760,000 of those children.
David Washburn
September 6, 2018
Expanded suspension ban gets approval from California Legislature
The bill passed Friday would expand the current ban, which covers grades K-3, to grades K-8. However, Gov. Jerry Brown, who several years ago vetoed a similar bill, has yet to signal support.
David Washburn
September 4, 2018
The price of punishment — new report shows students nationwide lost 11 million school days due to suspensions
The report, based on federal government data from 2015-16, also found that racial disparities in suspensions remain an acute problem. Nationwide, African-American students lost five times as many days as white students.
David Washburn
August 31, 2018
California lawmakers send school safety bills to Gov. Brown's desk
The measures include mandates for classroom door locks, school safety plans and the addition of school personnel to the list of people who can file gun violence restraining orders.
David Washburn
August 30, 2018
Youth in California’s Central Valley are reclaiming region's activist roots
Youth activists are mobilizing students from Bakersfield to Stockton with hopes of making an impact in the age of Trump.
David Washburn
August 15, 2018
California's soda tax ban stalled a grassroots movement, but didn't kill it
Though still angry over the deal Sacramento lawmakers made with the sweetened beverage industry, children's health advocates are busy plotting a new course.
David Washburn
July 31, 2018
Improving California school environments focus of pilot program
UCLA and two county education departments are collaborating to train teachers and administrators throughout the state on alternatives to traditional discipline.
David Washburn
July 25, 2018
One in 3 parents fear for their children's safety at school, survey finds
A nationwide poll found that while an increasing number of parents fear for their children's safety at school, a significant majority do not want teachers to be armed.
David Washburn
July 16, 2018
Educators to Trump school safety commission: Don’t repeal Obama discipline guidelines
More than 80 individuals and organizations have come together to urge the commission established by President Donald Trump to retain federal guidelines issued by the Obama administration to combat racial disparities in school discipline.
David Washburn
July 15, 2018
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos appears ready to sign California’s education plan
Top U.S. Department of Education official says he will recommend approval if the State Board of Education votes for a revised plan at its meeting in Sacramento