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
Why does California disappoint in preschool access and quality?
The report arrives just as momentum builds to expand access to both transitional kindergarten and state-funded preschool.
Karen D'Souza
April 19, 2021
Amid pandemic, infants especially need quality child care, reformers say
Child care is far more than just babysitting, advocates say, it’s building the architecture of the brain at a pivotal stage in construction.
Karen D'Souza
April 2, 2021
What are California teachers seeing as the early grades go back to school?
After being apart from each other for so long, children may need to be retrained on how to socialize before they can be ready to learn.
Karen D'Souza
March 24, 2021
What the federal stimulus bill means to California's child care sector
California, with almost 3 million children under age 5, stands to receive about $3.8 billion in federal relief.
Karen D'Souza
March 11, 2021
Should kindergarten be mandatory in California?
Without kindergarten to help build critical skills in reading and math, some students may fall behind.
Karen D'Souza
March 3, 2021
Most California parents worry about their young children’s education amid pandemic
More than a third of parents surveyed said they have skipped meals or had to cut back on food for the children as a result of the pandemic.
Karen D'Souza
February 25, 2021
California educators pay a wage penalty for working with younger children, report shows
Preschool teachers and child care workers earn 38% less than their colleagues in the K-8 system, the report says.
Karen D'Souza
February 24, 2021
How will expanded transitional kindergarten roll out?
Early childhood advocates applaud any increase in access to early education, which many see as critical to closing achievement gaps.
Karen D'Souza
February 18, 2021
How the Biden administration will impact California’s child care crisis
Among other measures, $25 billion is intended to stabilize the child care industry.
Karen D'Souza
February 5, 2021
What happens to children who missed kindergarten during Covid-19 crisis?
While many students have likely suffered learning loss during the global health crisis, it may have a greater impact on incoming first-graders.
Karen D'Souza
January 28, 2021
California governor takes steps toward expanding transitional kindergarten
Young children remain a focus in the budget, despite the economic chaos wrought by the pandemic.
Karen D'Souza
January 8, 2021
Why California needs to ban preschool suspensions and expulsions, experts say
Harsh discipline at such an early age can have lasting consequences.
Karen D'Souza
January 5, 2021
How California plans to increase access to Paid Family Leave to support early childhood
The recommendations include increasing the size of payouts and duration of leave, as well as support for small businesses.
Karen D'Souza
December 14, 2020
Another step toward universal preschool in California?
A proposed a sweeping suite of bills is designed to help reform the state’s early childhood system.
Karen D'Souza
December 9, 2020
Inside California’s new master plan to reshape early education and child care
Gov. Gavin Newsom made early childhood education a central focus of his administration.