Grade Levels Early Ed

April 24, 2024

California must not punish districts for being proactive on early learning

Penalties for districts that accelerated implementation of transitional kindergarten should be waived.

April 15, 2024

Don’t underestimate the power of CalKIDS savings plan

It might seem like the child savings account program is off to a slow start, but it's important to remember that it is a long-term investment in kids living in California.

April 12, 2024

Bill to mandate 'science of reading' in California classrooms dies

A bill to mandate use of the method will not advance in the Legislature this year in the face of teachers union opposition.

Diana Lambert, John Fensterwald, And Zaidee Stavely

Commentary

April 9, 2024

We must take better care of our home-based child care providers

These professionals provide essential services, but their pay and working conditions do not reflect their value, and their health suffers.

April 1, 2024

English learners, too, would benefit from fixing how we teach reading in California; this bill is a good start

Bill opponents should seek to improve the legislation rather leave students with outdated reading instruction.

March 29, 2024

Homeless infants and toddlers largely unenrolled in early ed programs

Evictions have exacerbated homelessness nationwide, increasing the rate of homeless infants and toddlers. Most of those children are not enrolled in early education programs.

March 28, 2024

Should 4-year-olds have to take an English proficiency test?

Advocates and school staff say the test was not designed for 4-year-olds and may misidentify young children as English learners.

March 15, 2024

Q&A: How the 50-year-old case that transformed English learner education began

An interview with Lucinda Lee Katz, the first grade teacher of the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Lau vs. Nichols.

March 8, 2024

English learner advocates in California oppose 'science of reading' bill

Two prominent organizations say the proposal would dismantle progress made to improve reading instruction for those students.

January 12, 2024

Advocates, education leaders speak out on Newsom’s initial plan for state budget

Many contributors credit the governor for sparing TK-12 and community colleges from cuts, at least for now; others urge different priorities.

January 8, 2024

California struggles to support personal, educational needs of children, report card finds

Despite statewide efforts, California is still struggling to support the personal and educational needs of its students, according to the 2024 California Children’s Report Card conducted by the organization Children Now.

Mallika Seshadri

Commentary

December 29, 2023

California schools need more precise mandated-reporter training

Mandated reporting is about ensuring child safety, but the decision to report a family to a county child welfare agency is not without consequences, and sometimes does more harm than good.

Alicia Garoupa

Year in Review

December 28, 2023

Education Beat in 2023: Our favorite podcast episodes

Listen to some of our favorite podcast episodes from 2023.

Zaidee Stavely

Year in Review

December 27, 2023

EdSource's Best of 2023: Top stories

In 2023 EdSource continued its mission to highlight the key issues in public education across the state of California and beyond. This is a collection of our most-read stories in 2023. It is the best of EdSource as chosen by you, our readers.

EdSource staff

The post-pandemic jump in students missing school