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
Critics pan state's justification for threatening Stanford education professor over breach of data contract
The California Department of Education argues researchers who sign a data contract work "for or on behalf of CDE"; critics say strong-arming researchers violates their constitutional rights.
John Fensterwald
August 7, 2023
California moves to silence Stanford researchers who got state data to study education issues
At issue is whether researchers can analyze nonpublic California student data and also testify against the state in related and even unrelated cases.
John Fensterwald
July 28, 2023
Newsom vows again to send social studies textbooks to Temecula Valley Unified with hefty fine
The governor applies a new reading of the state's power to replace textbooks that insufficiently comply with state statutes covering LGBTQ and other groups' recognition.
John Fensterwald
July 19, 2023
State Board of Education passes new California math framework
Unanimous approval follows hours of comments by a public split over accelerating algebra, emphasizing 'big ideas' over math facts and crediting data science as advanced math.
John Fensterwald
July 13, 2023
UC committee changes admission standard for data science, causing confusion over math framework
In a vote days before the State Board is to act on the framework, a powerful UC faculty committee changes its mind on data science amid pressure from STEM professors.
John Fensterwald And Michael Burke
July 11, 2023
Next, maybe last, big test for California's controversial math framework
The State Board of Education is expected to pass the third version, a year in the making, after a hearing on Wednesday. Its goal is to raise achievement by making math engaging and relevant, but critics point to flaws.
John Fensterwald
July 10, 2023
A sample of public comments on math framework
The State Board of Education received nearly 600 comments on the proposed California Math Framework from individuals and education organizations. Here are excerpts from supporters and opponents.
John Fensterwald
July 10, 2023
Legislature, Newsom compromise, quickly pass and sign 2023-24 state budget with fewer cuts for K-12
Child care is big winner in a final deal that includes a small decline in total funding for schools and community colleges for first time in years.
John Fensterwald
June 27, 2023
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond elicits publishers’ pledges for more inclusive textbooks
Schools chief and task force members push legislation to rein in recalcitrant districts, oversee adoption of textbooks reflecting state’s student diversity.
John Fensterwald
June 21, 2023
California charter school students outperform district school 'twins' in national study
Analysis by research institute CREDO, based at Stanford, found little difference for white, Asian and special education students but strong progress by Black and Hispanic students attending Aspire and other charter management organizations.
John Fensterwald
June 20, 2023
Many California districts yet to spend federal Covid relief despite deep, widespread learning loss
New analysis finds wide variations in the spending of $13.5 billion in ESSER III funding, including 20% set aside for addressing learning setbacks.
John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis
June 14, 2023
Legislature to pass its own budget this week to buy time to negotiate with Newsom
Legislative leaders and governor agree on top priorities but not on where to make spending cuts and how much more to spend for child care.
John Fensterwald
June 13, 2023
Author of bill to tie school employees' raises to funding formula increases makes big concession
Assembly Education Committee Chair Al Muratsuchi agrees to drop language explicitly calling for raising school workers' wages by 50% over seven years.
John Fensterwald
May 15, 2023
Gov. Newsom's May revisions protect education priorities, cut $4.3 billion in one-time funding
Gov. Gavin Newsom would pare back one-time funding by $4.3 billion for schools while preserving a promised 8.2% cost-of-living adjustment.
John Fensterwald
May 12, 2023
Michael Kirst on 10 years of local control funding: What has worked and what remains to be done
Co-author of California's school funding formula, which emphasizes local control, is pleased the law is largely intact but says high-poverty schools need more classroom resources.