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
Long sought after ’cradle to career’ education data system for California comes with hefty price tag
A year-long planning process culminates in recommendations for the data system expected to be sent to Gov. Newsom this week.
Louis Freedberg
December 16, 2020
Pandemic’s spread in California upends plans for return to school in January — or beyond
Hopes of returning to campus in January after winter break dim, as 51 out of 58 counties enter the state’s “purple” tier indicating that virus is widespread there.
Louis Freedberg
December 1, 2020
Biden’s nominee for homeland security chief likely to change immigration policies affecting children and youth
Alejandro Mayorkas’ background as a refugee from Cuba shapes his views on immigration policies.
Louis Freedberg
November 24, 2020
Pandemic surge puts opening of regular classrooms on hold for millions of California students
Over 90% of California students now attend schools that are not permitted to offer in-person instruction in regular classes unless they began offering them before their county was in the purple tier.
Louis Freedberg And Ali Tadayon
November 16, 2020
California schools chief Tony Thurmond: 'This is the time for an abundance of caution'
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond emphasizes safety as number one consideration in re-opening schools, and says that data will need to be monitored very carefully in the coming weeks to determine whether schools can open in January.
Louis Freedberg
November 16, 2020
Work on new ‘cradle to career’ data system accelerates, amid concerns about continuing state financial support
Unlike most states, California does not have a data system to track students’ pathways from K–12 schools to college and into the workplace.
Matt Krupnick
November 16, 2020
Linda Darling-Hammond removes herself from possible consideration as Secretary of Education
President of State Board of Education says taking on top job in Washington would undermine ability to achieve education goals in California.
Louis Freedberg
November 8, 2020
President-elect Joe Biden’s expansive education agenda expected to draw greater scrutiny
With Senate likely to remain in GOP hands, it is not clear how much of his detailed pro-teacher agenda, with a heavy emphasis on community colleges and affordability, could be implemented.
Louis Freedberg
November 7, 2020
Biden’s exhaustive education agenda — and Trump’s skimpy one — get short shrift during long campaign
Focus on Donald Trump and pandemic meant that Biden’s many education proposals got little airing during the campaign.
Louis Freedberg
November 3, 2020
Students getting in-person instruction at accelerating pace in California
There are wide variations in how students are being taught across California, as most of state’s largest districts stick with distance learning.
Louis Freedberg And Alexander Montero
October 30, 2020
For first time, heads of all California’s public education systems are Black or Latino
A fundamental question is how much difference their backgrounds will make in moving forward on racial and equity challenges facing their institutions.
Louis Freedberg
October 21, 2020
Schools need additional funding to cope with pandemic crisis, voters say
Most respondents say the federal government should lead the way in providing those funds, and that the money is more likely to be forthcoming if Joe Biden is president.
Louis Freedberg
October 11, 2020
Gov. Newsom gets strong support among California voters for handling of education
Also strong opposition among registered voters to President Trump’s call to open schools for in-person instruction, although less opposition among parents.
Louis Freedberg
October 8, 2020
California voters, including parents, have deep concerns about distance learning
Parents worry that if children are at home for the rest of the year it will result in learning loss for all students, but especially for the most economically vulnerable.
Louis Freedberg
October 8, 2020
California voters grapple with education in age of pandemic: An EdSource poll
This EdSource poll takes the pulse of California’s families across the state, with responses varying by income levels, race and ethnic backgrounds and political affiliation, on how Californians are experiencing the extraordinary circumstances of education in 2020.