Bill Honig

September 28, 2021

Civics proponents urge common ground in battles over ethnic studies

10 civics education leaders criticize “extreme” views of history and ethnic studies, urge learning based on independent, critical thinking.

John Fensterwald

October 11, 2018

A future in flux: what next for the California Department of Education?

Without a lot more money, the next state superintendent of public instruction must clarify the department's role under local control.

John Fensterwald

May 9, 2018

A closer look at California’s impressive educational performance

Recent reforms are translating into improved performance, says former state schools chief.

State Education Policy

April 25, 2018

Quick Guide: What does California's superintendent of public instruction do?

Periodically over the past century, state boards of education, governors and state superintendents have clashed over who should be setting education policy in California.

John Fensterwald

November 6, 2017

California state board asked to reject textbooks that fall short on LGBT contributions

Two K-8 texts by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt did not comply with state's History Social Science Framework, according to Instructional Quality Commission.