Michael Burke
Michael covers the Los Angeles Unified School District and higher education. Prior to joining EdSource, he was a reporter in Washington, D.C. He received a B.A. in journalism from Syracuse University. He won first place nationally in the in-depth reporting category of the Society of Professional Journalists 2018 Mark of Excellence awards for his series on corporate influence at Syracuse University, published in The Daily Orange.
All articles by Michael Burke
How one Southern California desert town has reopened its classrooms to hundreds of elementary school students
Lucerne Valley Elementary in San Bernardino County was one of the first public schools in the state to get approval to reopen.
Michael Burke
September 4, 2020
University of California must stop all use of SAT and ACT in admissions, judge orders
UC’s Board of Regents voted in May to stop requiring the exams, but some campuses were still giving students the option to submit scores.
Michael Burke
September 1, 2020
UC Santa Barbara scales back reopening plans, citing Covid-19 infections among students
Most of the University of California’s nine undergraduate campuses have now significantly curtailed their reopening plans.
Michael Burke
September 1, 2020
Los Angeles Unified will offer coronavirus testing to all students, staff in unprecedented effort
LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner for months has said that a robust system of testing and contact tracing is necessary to reopen schools.
Michael Burke
August 17, 2020
Los Angeles is ground zero for the interpretation of California’s new charter schools law
Charter schools and district leaders in Los Angeles are at odds over a law giving districts more authority to reject charter schools.
Michael Burke
August 10, 2020
California releases guidance for reopening colleges and universities
Colleges and universities in California can reopen this fall but must offer most classes virtually and have other restrictions in place.
Michael Burke
August 7, 2020
Los Angeles Unified reaches deal with teachers over distance learning while other districts struggle to finalize plans
As L.A. Unified finalized its distance learning plans, Oakland Unified and other districts were still negotiating with their teachers.
Michael Burke
August 3, 2020
California State University students required to take ethnic studies or social justice class under new policy
CSU trustees vote to approve policy while legislation with a stricter ethnic studies requirement makes its way through the Legislature.
Michael Burke
July 22, 2020
UC Merced joins UC Berkeley in going online-only to start fall semester
Berkeley and Merced are the first University of California campuses to decide they will hold all classes online to start the fall.
Michael Burke
July 22, 2020
The Central Valley’s Madera Community College becomes California’s newest community college
Previously a satellite campus of Reedley College, Madera now becomes an independent college in State Center Community College District.
Michael Burke
July 20, 2020
Quick Guide: What University of California campuses are planning
The nine UC undergraduate campuses are all preparing either distance learning plans or restrictions and safety measures for on campus learning. This database provides an overview of what the campuses are planning.
Michael Burke And Louis Freedberg
July 13, 2020
Schools in Los Angeles, San Diego won’t reopen for in-person learning next month
California's two largest school districts became the latest to announce plans to begin the new school year with distance learning.
Michael Burke
July 13, 2020
UC San Diego uncertain if robust testing plan will be enough to welcome students back to campus
UCSD has one of the nation’s most detailed reopening plans, but with virus cases rising, administrators are unsure it will be enough.
Michael Burke
July 9, 2020
Michael Drake, former UC Irvine chancellor, named University of California president
Drake will step into the role during an unstable period, with the coronavirus having upended the UC system.
Michael Burke
July 7, 2020
California State University faculty call for reforms to improve racial justice across system
Faculty are demanding that CSU reform police, require students take ethnic studies classes and erase racial pay gaps, among other requests.