Louis Freedberg
Louis Freedberg led EdSource as executive director from July 2011-April 2021. For more than two decades, Freedberg has analyzed and reported on local, state, and national education policy. Before coming to EdSource, Freedberg was the founding director of California Watch at the Center for Investigative Reporting. He spent 15 years at the San Francisco Chronicle, where he was an award-winning education reporter, Washington correspondent, columnist, and member of the editorial board. He has a Ph.D. in social anthropology from UC Berkeley and a B.A. in child development from Yale University.
All articles by Louis Freedberg
Will reserving vaccines for California teachers break school reopening logjam?
Newsom’s plan to reserve 10% of vaccines for teachers could lead to more schools reopening, but it could take too long to satisfy many parents if teachers insist on being fully immunized before returning
Louis Freedberg
February 20, 2021
Long Beach Unified is largest school district in California to announce reopening plans
School staff will get both vaccines before facing children, and staff and students will be required to take asymptomatic tests weekly.
Louis Freedberg
February 18, 2021
California needs 'common application' for its public college and universities, higher ed panel urges
Panel convened by Newsom administration presents post-pandemic roadmap for higher education, including streamlining admissions and transfer process.
Louis Freedberg And Ashley A. Smith
February 16, 2021
CDC issues color coded guide for school reopening but could create more confusion in California
Voluntary CDC guidelines leave many issues up to local communities to decide, including vaccinations and testing.
Louis Freedberg
February 12, 2021
In his own words: ‘Educators in front of students should be vaccinated,’ says CTA president E. Toby Boyd
Head of teachers' union says CTA's guidance are recommendations to local chapters, and that reopening should be a "collaborative process with all stakeholders involved."
EdSource Staff
February 10, 2021
‘The fight has been turned inward,’ laments San Francisco school superintendent
Supt. Vincent Matthews, in EdSource’s podcast, says city attorney in San Francisco should have given him a heads-up before filing suit against the district.
Louis Freedberg
February 5, 2021
Joining national debate, San Francisco enters uncharted territory in battle over reopening schools
San Francisco lawsuit is the first of its kind in California, and likely the country, as schools grapple with distance learning.
Louis Freedberg
February 3, 2021
In his own words: President Biden on 'making it safe to get kids back to school'
Biden addressed the issue on Jan. 26 in his first press conference since becoming president.
EdSource Staff
January 26, 2021
In inaugural address, Biden says it is possible to teach children ‘in safe schools’
New president will issue executive orders on DACA, student loans and immigration enforcement on his first day in office; more ambitious proposals will have to wait for Congressional approval.
Louis Freedberg
January 20, 2021
San Diego superintendent will bring years of teaching to deputy education secretary post
President-elect Biden nominates San Diego Unified’s Cindy Marten, who taught for 17 years, to fill number two slot at the U.S. Department of Education.
Louis Freedberg
January 19, 2021
California’s ’cradle-to-career’ data system in line to receive $15 million for next phase
The funds are included in Newsom's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, and will cover the first year of a what is expected to take 5 years to fully build out the system.
Louis Freedberg
January 12, 2021
What obstacles schools must overcome to offer in-person instruction
Gov. Newsom’s “Safe Schools for All” plan offers hope for reopening more schools for in-person instruction, but school districts have to traverse many obstacles to get there, with little time to do it.
Louis Freedberg
January 6, 2021
Expanding school year in new ways may be one outcome of pandemic in California
Gov. Gavin Newsom says that funding for expanded school year will be in his January budget, but provides no details.
Louis Freedberg
December 30, 2020
Momentum to offer more in-person public school instruction in California comes to a halt
An EdSource survey of the state’s 58 counties shows most California students are learning online, and many districts that had not reopened for face-to-face instruction are postponing their plans, if only temporarily, during current health crisis.
Louis Freedberg And Alexander Montero
December 24, 2020
California teachers' unions affirm opposition to opening schools without more safety precautions
Amid rampant spread of Covid-19, teacher opposition makes the prospect of a large-scale return of students to campuses less likely anytime soon.