John Fensterwald
John Fensterwald, staff writer, joined EdSource in 2012. Before that, he was editor and co-writer for The Educated Guess website, a leading source of California education policy reporting and opinion, which he founded in 2009. For 11 years before then, John wrote editorials for the Mercury News in San Jose, with a focus on education. He worked as a reporter, news editor and opinion editor for three newspapers in New Hampshire before receiving a Knight Fellowship at Stanford University in 1997. His wife is a retired elementary school teacher, and his daughter is a neurology resident at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine.
All articles by John Fensterwald
Gov. Newsom quashes bill to provide more funding for Black students
An unstated reason was Prop. 209, banning preferences by race; governor promises more funding somehow for state's lowest performing student group next year
John Fensterwald
September 2, 2022
State Supt. Thurmond to restart literacy task force, aims for 'comprehensive' approach
Announcement at a press conference accompanies the release of a free, engaging dual-language resource for families in California.
John Fensterwald
September 1, 2022
California does little to ensure all kids read by third grade
A national push to change the teaching of reading shows contrast between other states and California's hands-off approach.
John Fensterwald
August 26, 2022
Oakland, with among lowest ratio of fully prepared, rightly assigned teachers, has a strategy to address teacher churn
The district is hoping a "grow your own" approach to recruiting teaching candidates from the community will pay dividends OUSD. But living costs are high, and nearby districts can compete with offer higher salaries.
John Fensterwald
August 4, 2022
Teachers’ retirement investments record negative return for first time since Great Recession
Inflation, market volatility, war in Ukraine factor in -1.3% return; a one-year setback, following a record gain the year before, alone won't force an increase in school districts' pension contributions.
John Fensterwald
August 3, 2022
Deep divisions, further delay for California’s math guidelines
Detractors and supporters disagree on whether teaching standards through “big ideas” and creating new high school pathways will achieve more equitable outcomes for all students.
John Fensterwald
July 26, 2022
Analysis of Covid funding reveals California districts have spent little so far to address learning loss
The California School Boards Association examined districts’ spending reports; its analysis reveals a lack of clarity on how billions in funding were used.
John Fensterwald
July 15, 2022
California teachers share their challenges and worries: Teaching during Covid
The nonprofit Inverness Institute interviewed veteran teachers about life in the classroom during another difficult year impacted by a pandemic; two principals involved with the study sum up the findings in an interview with EdSource's John Fensterwald.
John Fensterwald
July 13, 2022
California's new budget includes historic funding for education
The $128 billion total for schools and community colleges gives a big boost for the funding formula and after-school programs, with a promise for an expansion of Cal Grants for college assistance.
John Fensterwald And Yuxuan Xie
July 1, 2022
Charter schools, abundant in California, could be a Supreme Court target
Critics of the Carson v. Makin decision are warning that charter schools could be drawn into the next skirmish over religious expression.
John Fensterwald
June 29, 2022
Gov. Newsom strikes deal on state budget: big increase for K-12, plan to expand Cal Grant, too
Compromise includes 13% more for funding formula, extra for community schools, student transportation, school construction, literacy coaches and expansion of Cal Grants.
John Fensterwald And Michael Burke
June 28, 2022
California Prop. 13’s 'unjust legacy' detailed in critical study
Study recommends no specific fix to 1978 property tax limit initiative, but the Opportunity Institute and Pivot Learning cite many reasons to consider reforms.
John Fensterwald
June 22, 2022
California to create teaching credential covering pre-K through 3rd grade that requires literacy training
State commission hopes new credential will help attract thousands of teachers for transitional kindergarten; literacy advocates press for strong literacy standards.
John Fensterwald
June 17, 2022
State Supt. Tony Thurmond likely to face runoff election in November
Thurmond so far is falling short of 50% needed to avoid a runoff election. It's too close to identify which of three opponents he will face.
John Fensterwald
June 8, 2022
Schools would likely weather a recession; should the state budget for one?
A nearly $10 billion education rainy day fund and districts' own reserves would protect schools according to state analysts. At issue is how much funding Newsom and the Legislature should to commit to ongoing spending.