John Fensterwald
Follow @jfenster EmailJohn 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 won’t bend on directing billions to low-income students’ learning loss
The governor and the Legislature are at odds over how to distribute federal coronavirus relief; Newsom cites growing achievement gap.
John Fensterwald
June 5, 2020
California lawmakers would spare K-12 schools from any budget cuts
Both Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are betting Congress will deliver tens of billions more in aid to states.
John Fensterwald
June 3, 2020
Most California districts would get more in federal aid than they’d lose in budget cuts
Districts are anticipating billions more in unfunded costs to reopen schools. They want some of the money they'll need to be distributed more evenly than Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes.
John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis
June 3, 2020
California districts could pursue teacher layoffs if new state budget cuts K-12 funding
School districts can do a second round of layoffs if K-12 funding increases less than 2%. CTA will ask the Legislature to prevent it.
John Fensterwald
May 22, 2020
Six urban California districts say proposed budget cuts will set back restarting school
Superintendents argue that uncertainty and the higher costs of Covid-19, combined with a 10% cut in general funding, require increased funding.
John Fensterwald
May 19, 2020
Gov. Newsom's revised budget would partially offset huge drop in revenue for K-12 schools, community colleges
California governor's proposed budget anticipates a two-year drop of $19 billion in state funding for schools and community colleges.
John Fensterwald
May 14, 2020
California child care providers struggle to stay in business
Survey finds many providers cannot afford to stay closed much longer; when they do fully reopen, they'll face added expenses and social distancing restrictions.
John Fensterwald
May 11, 2020
Gov. Newsom now projects $18 billion shortfall in revenue for K-12, community colleges
Cutting more than 20 percent in state funding would compound the pandemic's impact on schools; educators hope Newsom recognizes the harm and won't cut that much.
John Fensterwald
May 7, 2020
California school funding formula has a spending loophole; is a recession the time to fix it?
School districts argue budget cuts warrant spending flexibility; equity advocates argue high-needs students need resources they're entitled to.
John Fensterwald
May 7, 2020
The coming storm: big budget cuts, rising costs for California schools
Next week's May budget revision may include clues about whether schools are in for the largest single-year cut as they face unprecedented costs.
John Fensterwald
May 6, 2020
Big variations per student in what California districts will get in federal stimulus aid
Large urban and small rural districts in California will get the largest shares of $1.65 billion in federal stimulus funds aimed to help school districts across the country weather the coronavirus pandemic.
John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis
May 5, 2020
Addressing California students’ loss of learning shapes plan to reopen schools
Newsom says a longer school year is critical to addressing the widening learning loss gap between low-income and wealthier students.
John Fensterwald
April 28, 2020
California school districts get extra 5 months to pass local accountability plans
While pushing back the LCAP deadline, Newsom orders districts to report on distance learning and school closure expenses by July 1.
John Fensterwald
April 24, 2020
Parents worrying about coronavirus’ toll on children's learning, survey finds
PPIC annual poll finds parents are satisfied with how districts closed schools and how Gov. Newsom has handled K-12 education.
John Fensterwald
April 23, 2020
California school districts to get 5-month reprieve to adopt next year’s accountability plan
The governor is expected to postpone the LCAP; legislators will be asked to cancel the California School Dashboard for one year.