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
Making distance learning work in Kern County
The county office of education is coordinating a multi-district use of a common distance learning platform and providing internet access.
John Fensterwald
April 15, 2020
Most parents are worried school closures will leave their students behind, survey finds
Education Trust-West, the survey's sponsor, sees evidence that months-long school closures will compound challenges facing low-income students.
John Fensterwald
April 9, 2020
California school unions, district leaders pledge to cooperate on coronavirus challenges
It’s unclear whether the California Department of Education plans to issue guidance on issues such as how long a school day should be and whether the content should be enrichment or course completion.
John Fensterwald
April 2, 2020
$31 billion in federal coronavirus relief coming soon to schools, college students and universities
The money for education is a small piece of a record $2 trillion in coronavirus relief but vitally needed as a recession looms in California.
John Fensterwald
March 26, 2020
California school districts learn more about what state expects during a long shutdown
During a webinar viewed by 7,000 people, state officials encourage innovation to provide service and promise cooperation in weeks ahead.
John Fensterwald
March 18, 2020
Expect California schools to remain closed until summer, governor says
California also will ask the federal government to waive the required standardized tests if and when schools resume session this year.
John Fensterwald
March 17, 2020
California schools, child care centers to get $100 million to disinfect for coronavirus
Lawmakers approve full funding for school closures and lower attendance due to the coronavirus.
John Fensterwald
March 16, 2020
Gov. Newsom assures school districts they'll be funded during coronavirus closures
In exchange for the money, districts should provide online learning, and independent study "to the extent feasible," which is puzzling to some.
John Fensterwald
March 14, 2020
All but final: California voters reject $15 billion state school bond
One week after the March 3 election, Proposition 13 remains behind 46 to 54 percent, which appears too big a gap to make up.
John Fensterwald
March 11, 2020
California districts complain proposed state budget won’t cover expenses
With mandated costs rising, school districts had been counting on a larger cost of living adjustment that they’d receive next year.
John Fensterwald
March 9, 2020
Post-Prop. 13: Why a likely winner may end up California election’s big loser
Several factors — confusion with a more famous 13, tax fatigue, anxiety over the stock market — may have led to the measure’s likely defeat.
John Fensterwald
March 5, 2020
California school construction bond is losing
Prop. 13 — unrelated to the better known tax cutting initiative in 1978 — would have helped K-12 districts, community colleges, CSU and UC with the cost of construction projects.
John Fensterwald
March 3, 2020
Gov. Newsom’s big bets: community schools, competitive grants and new teacher incentives
The governor proposes $1.5 billion over 5 years on incentives for new teachers and grants managed by a small agency to fix highest poverty schools.
John Fensterwald
February 18, 2020
College costs, teacher shortage still top concerns in poll of California voters
Annual PACE/USC Rossier poll also finds support for increasing teacher pay, requiring ethnic studies and taking action to prevent gun violence.
John Fensterwald
February 11, 2020
California’s schools chief states his position as his department revises ethnic studies curriculum
Tony Thurmond says the curriculum should focus on African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicanos and Latinos, and Native Americans.