California Supreme Court

October 14, 2020

California governor’s Supreme Court nominee wrote opinion derailing adequate school funding case

As an appellate judge, Martin Jenkins concluded the state Constitution doesn’t require minimum funding for schools; that’s for lawmakers to determine.

July 31, 2020

California court gives school districts, local governments limited win in ruling on pensions

The court upheld a provision of the pension reform law but didn’t determine whether pension obligations to current public employees can be changed.

March 4, 2019

California Supreme Court stops short of allowing school districts to modify existing pensions

Supreme Court reaffirms pension reform law's elimination of one benefit but larger challenge to modify pensions of teachers and other public employees will await a future decision.

January 6, 2016

Court of appeal finally to hear case charging underfunding of schools

A judge initially dismissed the grounds for the two companion cases in 2011.

February 1, 2015

Lawsuit agreement to force schools to provide physical education

As schools tout the importance of exercise in an era of childhood obesity, a California parent and his lawyer have agreed to a settlement with dozens of districts across California that will force elementary schools to prove they are providing at least the minimum amount of physical education required by state law.

Jane Meredith Adams

Discipline

January 6, 2015

Ferguson protests cast shadow over Berkeley

Louis Freedberg

Policy & Finance

December 17, 2014

State to fight lawsuit by low-income students

State finance officials last week granted the California Department of Education $3.4 million to fight a lawsuit that demands the state fix disruptive conditions in some high-poverty schools where students allegedly are being denied the fundamental right to an education.