Karen D'Souza
Karen covers arts education, literacy, and early education. She is an award-winning writer who comes to EdSource after covering lifestyle, parenting, health, housing, education and the arts for the San Jose Mercury News. She is a four-time Pulitzer juror and her writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, San Francisco Chronicle and Seattle Times. She has an MA in journalism and a BA in political science and dramatic art from UC Berkeley.
All articles by Karen D'Souza
Bolstered by Miami track record, Carvalho revamps LAUSD Primary Promise reading program
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho knows from his experience in Miami what a successful reading program can do. His efforts to bring the same success to LAUSD has stirred some opposition.
Karen D'Souza
June 2, 2023
Is the child care crisis escalating?
Maintaining a high quality of care is the bottom line, experts say. Simply expanding access to child care or lowering its costs is not enough to give children the head start they need.
Karen D'Souza
May 3, 2023
What parents should know about transitional kindergarten
Many more California children will be eligible for TK. It may help kids make up for some social and intellectual stimulation lost during the pandemic, experts say.
Karen D'Souza
April 12, 2023
The magic of story time: Why is reading aloud to kids so important?
Amid the escalating national literacy crisis, with its grim statistics and deeply entrenched ideological battles, this one is an easy fix, experts say. Read aloud to your children and students.
Karen D'Souza
April 6, 2023
Documentary film asks: Do all children have 'The Right to Read?'
Literacy is the watershed social justice issue of our time, many advocates argue.
Karen D'Souza
March 29, 2023
Amid California's mounting literacy crisis, state names new literacy directors
Since reading lays a foundation for all future learning, including math and science, many regard plunging test scores as cause for alarm.
Karen D'Souza
March 23, 2023
Are young boys of color set up to fail in early education?
Examining implicit bias, experts say, may be the key to making early education more equitable.
Karen D'Souza
March 8, 2023
Arts education funding in California: How will Proposition 28 roll out?
Arts education could be an engine to spark family engagement in the school system, experts say.
Karen D'Souza
February 21, 2023
The pandemic fueled a public school exodus, study says
Disruptions wrought by the pandemic may be leading the education world toward a watershed moment, some say, a time to rebuild the critical connection between families and schools.
Karen D'Souza
February 10, 2023
Will arts education cuts in proposed California budget have a big impact?
Arts advocates point to the power of the arts to boost the state's student achievement and buttress social-emotional well-being.
Karen D'Souza
January 31, 2023
Inside the child care crisis: Q&A with a veteran provider
Child care workers want to be recognized as early educators, they say, and not just babysitters.
Karen D'Souza
January 19, 2023
Teaching young children how to read: What California parents need to know
What should parents do if they notice their child is falling behind in reading?
Karen D'Souza
December 20, 2022
10 things California parents should know about transitional kindergarten | Quick Guide
Many districts are beginning to register new students for the coming year, so now is the time to reach out.
Karen D'Souza
December 12, 2022
'Just-right' books: Does leveled reading hurt the weakest readers?
Teachers become gatekeepers to books, a longstanding practice in many schools where the assigned reading level is treated as a sacred cow.
Karen D'Souza
November 14, 2022
LAUSD superintendent joins experts in supporting pursuit of science of reading
One key way to fight falling test scores, experts suggest, is to dig deep into the exhaustive body of research on how the brain learns to read.