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
Newsom offers $2 billion plan to bring back in-person instruction in elementary grades
Gov. Newsom's plan offers additional funds to districts that reopen, but comes with stringent Covid testing and others requirements.
John Fensterwald And Louis Freedberg
December 30, 2020
2020: A year like no other as told by EdSource reporters
A year like no other saw an unrelenting flow of news. From the pandemic to wildfires to financial woes, Californians endured a tough year. EdSource covered it all and its impact on education. Here’s a look at the highlights.
John Fensterwald
December 30, 2020
California school districts, charter schools to get $6.8 billion, in varying amounts, of federal aid
California will get about one-eighth of the $54 billion Congress appropriated in coronavirus aid for K-12 schools.
John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis
December 27, 2020
Congress approves billions more in Covid relief for schools and colleges
The $900 billion relief package includes $82 billion for K-12 and colleges, plus $22 billion for Covid testing that could help to reopen schools.
John Fensterwald
December 21, 2020
School districts balk at California’s new Covid worker safety regulations
Cal/OSHA emergency regulations went into effect Nov. 30 for all employers. School officials argue compliance will be burdensome.
John Fensterwald
December 18, 2020
California Assembly leaders press for all districts to resume in-school teaching in the spring
Reopening would begin in stages once health officials say schools can safely open under a bill proposed by eduction leaders in the Assembly.
John Fensterwald
December 8, 2020
Early data on learning loss show big drop in math, but not reading skills
The impact from school closures last spring proved worrisome but not as dire as projected by the assessment organization NWEA.
John Fensterwald
November 30, 2020
How Kusema Thomas missed six weeks of distance learning in LA Unified middle school
Kusema Thomas II looked forward to sixth grade in a new Los Angeles Unified magnet school but connecting problems cost him six weeks of virtual classes. Now, his father wants tutoring help.
John Fensterwald
November 19, 2020
In ‘remarkable’ turnaround, California schools can expect huge one-time windfall next year, LAO says
The Legislative Analyst’s Office forecasts schools and community colleges can expect a record one-time surplus of $13.1 billion in 2021-22.
John Fensterwald
November 18, 2020
Defeat of Prop. 15 to raise commercial property taxes denies schools more revenue
The first major challenge to Prop. 13’s limit on property taxes would have provided an estimated $2.5 billion to $4.5 billion annually for K-12 schools and community colleges.
John Fensterwald
November 11, 2020
More changes proposed for California’s ethnic studies curriculum to strengthen ‘balance’
State schools chief adds lesson plans for Asian ethnic groups who felt left out and rewords sections to encourage multiple points of view.
John Fensterwald
November 7, 2020
California voters pass most school construction bonds, parcel taxes on ballot
Fewer districts than in past presidential elections bet that voters would approve a tax increase during a pandemic and a recession.
John Fensterwald
November 6, 2020
California’s Proposition 15, to raise commercial property taxes, in tight race
The first effort in 42 years to change Prop. 13 would provide $2.6 billion to $4.6 billion for K-12 schools and community colleges.
John Fensterwald
November 3, 2020
Leading school superintendents ask Gov. Newsom to impose a ‘common standard’ for reopening schools in California
Along with more Covid testing of students, the superintendents want the state to set standards covering all aspects of reopening schools.
John Fensterwald
November 3, 2020
High school teachers in California wary of taking on contentious Biden-Trump election
Distance learning poses additional challenges for teachers willing to help students examine a divisive election filled with misinformation.