Sydney Johnson
Follow @@sydneyfjohnsonSydney Johnson covers math and science, among other topics. Before joining EdSource, Sydney was an assistant editor at EdSurge where she covered higher education and technology. Her work has also appeared in Slate, The Huffington Post, the East Bay Express, San Francisco magazine and other outlets. She has a B.A. and a B.S. from UC Berkeley.
All articles by Sydney Johnson
California moves ahead to pursue flexibility waivers for standardized tests this year
The state board will consider if districts can use locally selected tests where Smarter Balanced assessments are not feasible.
Sydney Johnson
February 24, 2021
Schools must give standardized tests this year, Biden administration says
It’s been unclear whether the Biden administration would offer testing waivers as many school districts continue to operate with distance learning.
Sydney Johnson
February 22, 2021
California students watch and learn through hands-on projects as Mars rover lands
Teachers have crafted weeks and even months-long lessons culminating with the historic Mars rover landing on Feb. 18.
Sydney Johnson
February 19, 2021
White students in California more likely to be getting in-person instruction than Black, Latino and Asian students
Across California, nearly half of all districts with elementary schools have reopened them to in-person or hybrid learning. White students more likely to be attending school in-person.
Sydney Johnson And Daniel J. Willis
February 12, 2021
California teachers grapple with grading nearly a year after initial school closures
Many districts are seeing surges in Fs and Ds during distance learning, prompting a revision of expectations and policies around grades.
Sydney Johnson
February 9, 2021
How one California preschool program is helping youngest learners with math
A state-funded program is designing strategies for families to keep kids learning at home even when in-person preschool is canceled.
Sydney Johnson
January 19, 2021
California school officials push for standardized testing waiver amid Covid-19 spike
California education officials voted to shorten annual tests in math and reading after federal officials said waivers would not be available in 2021.
Sydney Johnson
January 14, 2021
One more challenge for California teachers in distance learning: All new science curriculum
School districts like West Contra Costa Unified lacked updated learning materials aligned to California’s new science standards prior to the current school year.
Sydney Johnson
December 15, 2020
How one California school district is moving forward with math in the pandemic
Math learning experts are pushing for grade-level content over remediation during the pandemic.
Sydney Johnson
December 11, 2020
With classrooms closed, scientists take over virtual STEM lessons in LA Unified
As California faces another coronavirus surge, scientists and museum guides are taking to Zoom to meet students at home.
Sydney Johnson
November 24, 2020
University of California expands list of courses that meet math requirement for admission
The decision comes after CSU delayed a vote to add a quantitative reasoning course — in addition to 3 years of math — as an admission requirement.
Sydney Johnson
November 9, 2020
Shorter exams will replace California’s annual Smarter Balanced tests
Federal education officials said they will not waive testing requirements for the 2020-21 school year.
Sydney Johnson
November 5, 2020
California to consider shorter Smarter Balanced tests this spring
The State Board of Education will vote this week on whether to shorten the state’s annual standardized tests in math and English language arts.
Sydney Johnson
November 4, 2020
Academic testing looks very different in California during distance learning
To assess students during distance learning, teachers are relying on informal check-ins, open notes and webcams to monitor a student’s behavior.
Sydney Johnson
October 27, 2020
Length of live teaching varies in California even in the same grade level and same district
Some parents and researchers want longer class periods for their kids in distance learning, while others worry about excessive screen time and ineffective use of learning time.