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
Unprecedented California budget to usher in sweeping education changes
California will spend billions now and in coming years on young children, student mental health, community schools and the teacher shortage.
EdSource Staff
July 13, 2021
California backtracks, will let local schools decide how to enforce mask requirement
Hours after ordering schools to send home maskless students, California decides to let districts make enforcement decisions.
John Fensterwald
July 13, 2021
California voters give schools and teachers top grades in year-end survey
Were voters "grading on a curve" in recognition of hard work amid a pandemic? Polling also found growing tensions on race and politics.
John Fensterwald
July 8, 2021
Lawmakers, Newsom cut deal on state budget: Record spending on pre-K through college
2021-22 budget would include record K-12 spending, phase in transitional kindergarten for all 4-year-olds, significantly expand Cal Grants
John Fensterwald, Michael Burke, Zaidee Stavely, And Sydney Johnson
June 26, 2021
Grading changes, other Covid accommodations await Gov. Newsom’s signature
An extra year in high school, a Pass or No Pass option and minimum graduation requirements would help undo damage from the pandemic.
John Fensterwald
June 24, 2021
State orders stricter county oversight of districts' spending for low-income kids, English learners
California Department of Education sides with faith-based organizations that challenged how the San Bernardino county office approved LCAPs.
John Fensterwald
June 18, 2021
Legislature passes placeholder budget to buy time for a deal with Gov. Newsom
Legislators and governor agree on most education spending, but legislators want more funding for child care, Cal Grants and pension relief.
John Fensterwald
June 14, 2021
Teachers report spring school reopenings were exhausting and unproductive
Many of the 136 veteran California teachers surveyed found hybrid learning was enervating, and districts didn't seek advice on reopening.
John Fensterwald
June 14, 2021
Little action on building state website to track districts’ spending
Nearly a year after money was budgeted, the California Department of Education hasn't completed the contract needed to move forward.
John Fensterwald
June 9, 2021
California's K-12 funding formula likely to change, but disagreement over how
Gov. Newsom, legislative leaders agree to add $1.1 billion to the Local Control Funding Formula but not on who gets priority for the money.
John Fensterwald
June 4, 2021
Senate and Assembly cut, then add, billions to Gov. Newsom's budget for K-12
Budget committees' joint plan prioritizes school districts' financial health over more one-time funding. Next step: Talks with Newsom
John Fensterwald
June 2, 2021
Long-dormant anti-spending law to yield one-time bonanza for schools
An anti-spending initiative, passed in 1979, could force $16 billion in 'excess' revenue to be split between tax rebates and school funding.
John Fensterwald
May 19, 2021
Analysis faults districts on lack of spending accountability for Covid funding
With unprecedented billions of dollars, advocacy groups want details on how funding will help students targeted for extra assistance.
John Fensterwald
May 19, 2021
Newsom proposes universal transitional kindergarten, new programs for low-income students
With a continuing surge in revenue, the governor would expand community schools and create a $500 college savings account for every low-income first grader.
John Fensterwald
May 12, 2021
Students, community organizations ask judge to order mental health services, internet access
The lawsuit argues top education officials must monitor districts to see that billions in Covid relief address students' pressing needs.