John Fensterwald
Follow @jfenster EmailJohn Fensterwald, staff writer, joined EdSource in 2012. Before that, he was editor and co-writer for the “Thoughts on Public Education (TOP-Ed)” 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 for two decades before receiving a Knight Fellowship at Stanford University in 1997 and heading West. His wife is a retired elementary school teacher, and his daughter attends the UC Davis School of Medicine.
All articles by John Fensterwald
$15 billion California school bond headed for March ballot with Newsom’s signature
Higher ed to get $6 billion and K-12 schools $9 billion, with most dollars earmarked for renovations; low-wealth, low-income districts would be favored.
John Fensterwald
October 7, 2019
Charter school reform in California: what state leaders had to say
Gov. Newsom, key legislators and charter school advocates and skeptics pledged to build on the collaboration that made compromise possible.
John Fensterwald
October 4, 2019
New era for charter schools: Newsom signs bill after intensive negotiations
For the first time, school districts will be able to consider a proposed charter school’s financial impact.
John Fensterwald
October 3, 2019
School boards group committed to tax plan despite legislative setback
Backers of a planned $15 billion tax initiative for the November 2020 ballot hope they can win over the California Teachers Association.
John Fensterwald
September 24, 2019
Removing lead from water would be priority in proposed school construction bond
$150 million for testing, remediation would remove lead in schools statewide but based on a standard that pediatricians say is still hazardous.
John Fensterwald
September 17, 2019
Gov. Newsom, lawmakers strike deal on $15 billion education construction bond
The proposed bond on the March 2020 ballot will include money for K-12 districts, including preschool, community colleges, UC and CSU.
John Fensterwald
September 11, 2019
California’s charter schools soon to enter an uneasy era
School districts will be able to cite an adverse fiscal impact to deny a charter school application, but not without making a strong case.
John Fensterwald
September 10, 2019
Gov. Newsom, lawmakers still negotiating K-14 construction bond
State officials have called for giving property-poor districts a bigger share of state funding.
John Fensterwald
September 6, 2019
Achieving fair funding for school modernization in California: a case study [VIDEO]
California has run out of money to help school districts build and repair schools. View EdSource's video explainer to understand the choices facing legislators and voters.
John Fensterwald
September 6, 2019
Second tax measure to fund California schools proposed for 2020 ballot
Potentially two initiatives on the November 2020 ballot could create a choice or confusion for voters.
John Fensterwald
August 30, 2019
Governor, lawmakers agree on new controls on California charter schools
School districts could consider the need for a new charter school and its financial impact; charters will keep their right of appeal.
John Fensterwald
August 29, 2019
California proposal requiring ethnic studies for diploma delayed
José Medina will bring back Assembly Bill 331 next year, after there has been time to redraft the controversial ethnic studies curriculum.
John Fensterwald
August 23, 2019
Amid tensions statewide, an embattled California charter school's quest ends badly
Promise Academy had a partnership with the Tech Museum; its fight with San Jose Unified mirrors conflicts statewide over charter schools.
John Fensterwald
August 20, 2019
Support grows nationwide for paying teachers more
A poll by the journal Education Next finds most people favor more federal spending on education and free college tuition.
John Fensterwald
August 19, 2019
Criticism of draft curriculum for ethnic studies in California intensifies
State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond join those calling for a major revision.