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Sarah Tully


Sarah Tully formerly covered early education and the Common Core. She was based in the Los Angeles area.

All posts by Sarah Tully
Common Core

Final tally shows few opt-outs from Common Core-aligned tests in California

High school juniors in some schools opt out in larger numbers.

Sarah Tully
January 28, 2016
Early Learning

Boosting the role of parents of English learners in preschools

Family involvement is key to preparing children academically.

Sarah Tully
January 14, 2016
Early Learning

Public preschools attempt to accommodate diverse languages of students

Vietnamese is among the most common languages in students' homes.

Sarah Tully
January 5, 2016
Early Learning

Preschool programs face challenge of preparing staff to teach English learners

Even when they speak the language, teachers and aides need specialized training.

Sarah Tully
December 10, 2015
Early Learning

Study: Transitional kindergarten students are better prepared for school

The report finds students were academically up to five months ahead of their peers.

Sarah Tully
December 1, 2015
Early Learning

Report: State lost 18,000 licensed child care spaces over two years

The biggest decline was among those who operate out of their homes.

Sarah Tully
November 19, 2015
Early Learning

How one program is helping English learners succeed starting in preschool

The approach emphasizes vocabulary, talking and role-playing.

Sarah Tully
November 11, 2015
Early Learning

Preschools play key role in preparing English learners for kindergarten

Early language instruction is crucial to later academic success.

Sarah Tully
November 4, 2015
Early Learning

State expands preschool rating system, but aims to add more

Under a federal grant, publicly funded programs are evaluated.

Sarah Tully
October 27, 2015
Evaluations

Federal government backs state’s plan to improve teacher quality

California is part of the federal Excellent Educators for All Initiative.

Sarah Tully
October 22, 2015
Early Learning

Poll: Voters increasingly support early education investments

Most would have a positive view of a candidate who supports early education.

Sarah Tully
October 20, 2015
Legislation

What former, current high school students need to know about exit exam

Students who failed the exit exam might be granted diplomas.

Sarah Tully
October 7, 2015
Early Learning

Report: California must do more to prepare early educators

Preschool teachers receive less pay and training than their K-12 counterparts.

Sarah Tully
September 29, 2015
Common Core

Lawsuit: Schools failed to inform parents of right to opt out of tests

Parents claim they weren’t told they could opt out of Common Core-aligned tests.

Sarah Tully
September 17, 2015
Common Core

Proceed with caution when comparing California test scores with other states

With more English learners and low-income students, overall scores tend to be lower.

Sarah Tully
September 10, 2015
Early Learning

Report: Low-income, black, disabled students miss school more often

California officials plan to better track absenteeism.

Sarah Tully
August 31, 2015
Common Core

National poll shows majority oppose Common Core standards

Most also believe there is too much emphasis on standardized testing.

Sarah Tully
August 23, 2015
Curriculum

Science, art camp sneaks in language for English learners

The program was aimed at helping students become proficient in English.

Sarah Tully
August 13, 2015
High-Needs Students

Lawsuit claims state refuses to release data on English learners

Sarah Tully
August 10, 2015
Common Core

Teachers from Mexico and California collaborate to teach algebra

Spanish speakers need help with Common Core emphasis on language skills.

Sarah Tully
August 4, 2015
Legislation

Parents miss out on option to transfer out of low-ranking schools

The scoring index used to rank schools has been suspended.

Sarah Tully
July 29, 2015
Common Core

'Parent trigger' campaigns can continue despite lack of new test scores

Court ruling OKs the use of test scores from 2013.

Sarah Tully
July 27, 2015
Common Core

State superintendent to form task force for new accountability plan

The new system will measure student learning based on multiple factors.

Sarah Tully
July 24, 2015
Legislation

Homeless students get new attention in school accountability plans

Districts will be required to track test scores and other measures of progress.

Sarah Tully
July 19, 2015
Common Core

High school exit exam may be suspended immediately

The bill would suspend the law for three years starting with the class of 2015.

Sarah Tully
July 1, 2015
College Readiness

'Stress in kids these days is different,' says California teacher of year

Maggie Mabery is a science teacher at Manhattan Beach Middle School.

Sarah Tully
June 30, 2015
Early Learning

Children get extra semester before kindergarten with midyear classes

Programs are aimed at children who turn 5 after the usual Dec. 2 cutoff date for transitional kindergarten.

Sarah Tully
June 29, 2015
Early Learning

Report: Low-income communities lack child care in Los Angeles County

The shortage of licensed spaces is most acute for infants and toddlers.

Sarah Tully
June 29, 2015
Common Core

Students in limbo after high school exit exam canceled

About 5,000 California seniors were eligible to take the test this summer.

Sarah Tully
June 26, 2015
Legislation

LA Unified expands transitional kindergarten for more 4-year-olds

Younger children would be eligible to enroll in the program.

Sarah Tully
June 24, 2015
Legislation

LA Unified plan saves preschool slots with new transitional kindergarten

Program would allow younger 4-year-olds to enroll in transitional kindergarten.

Sarah Tully and Daniel J. Willis
June 18, 2015
Legislation

LA Unified explores transitional kindergarten option for more 4-year-olds

The plan would allow any 4-year-old who turns 5 during the school year to enroll.

Sarah Tully
June 11, 2015
Common Core

Schools face challenge of explaining Common Core test results to parents

School officials are expecting to send reports to parents this summer.

Sarah Tully
June 2, 2015
Early Learning

Legislators propose boosting preschool funding

Gov. Jerry Brown has urged legislators to be fiscally conservative.

Sarah Tully and Michael Collier
May 29, 2015
College Readiness

Students in handful of California schools opt out of Common Core tests

Students cite lack of time to study for AP tests and the SAT.

Sarah Tully
May 18, 2015
Common Core

School districts start receiving early results on Smarter Balanced tests

Information is going to districts about four weeks after testing is complete.

Sarah Tully
May 12, 2015
Common Core

Broad coalition, poll show support for Common Core

About 500 groups in California sign a statement supporting the Common Core.

Sarah Tully
May 11, 2015
Common Core

Half of juniors opt out of Common Core tests in affluent high school

Parents are citing privacy concerns and relevancy of the test.

Sarah Tully
April 28, 2015