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
Amid pandemic fears of student loss, University of California enrollment remains flat
Enrollment at public universities is down across the country, but not at the University of California, where undergraduate enrollment is up and total enrollment is flat.
Michael Burke
November 20, 2020
California State University faculty, administrators remain at odds over ethnic studies requirement
California State University’s ethnic studies requirement is on track to being implemented as a lower-division class, disappointing faculty.
Michael Burke
November 18, 2020
One incumbent, one newcomer on track to win pivotal school board races in Los Angeles
The next school board will be seated in December and likely have one new face: Tanya Ortiz Franklin, a former teacher.
Michael Burke
November 4, 2020
How new law requiring ethnic studies at California State University will affect community colleges
New ethnic studies class will likely be required as part of lower-division coursework, which many students complete at community college.
Michael Burke
November 2, 2020
L.A. Unified schools face crucial election amid Covid-19 pandemic
L.A. Unified’ next school board will guide the district through the pandemic and influence the future of charter schools in Los Angeles.
Michael Burke
October 28, 2020
As University of California campuses reopen, UC San Diego deploys aggressive strategy to contain Covid-19
UC San Diego is welcoming students back to campus with mass Covid-19 testing, Bluetooth technology and wastewater testing.
Michael Burke
October 2, 2020
California’s community colleges address student-faculty diversity gap
Panelists from California community colleges met Tuesday for a webinar hosted by EdSource to discuss faculty diversity across the system.
Michael Burke
September 29, 2020
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.