Children Now

January 26, 2023

Amid some bright spots, report shows toll of pandemic on California youth

Teacher shortage, youth mental health and math scores are cause for concern, but some policies seem to be helping

January 17, 2023

Reactions to the governor's early education budget proposals

Leaders representing all segments of California’s education system share their reactions to the governor’s 2023-24 January budget proposal for early education.

July 15, 2022

Analysis of Covid funding reveals California districts have spent little so far to address learning loss

The California School Boards Association examined districts’ spending reports; its analysis reveals a lack of clarity on how billions in funding were used.

January 13, 2022

The right priorities? Reactions to Gov. Newsom's 2022-23 early ed budget

Leaders representing all segments of California’s education system share their reactions to the governor’s May revision of the 2021-22 budget.

January 12, 2022

'Grim' outlook for California children's well-being, report finds

Children Now's annual survey provides a comprehensive look at how youth have fared after nearly two years of the pandemic.

September 30, 2021

Hope, caution among experts as California rolls out transitional kindergarten for all 4-year-olds

The EdSource roundtable included policymakers, researchers, advocates and a transitional kindergarten teacher, who discussed the expansion of TK.

July 22, 2020

Budget deferrals today could force schools into a $23 billion hole next year

Do not be lulled into the mistaken idea that schools have been protected from cuts by the state budget solutions adopted last month.

June 25, 2020

California schools must provide daily live interaction, access to technology this fall

California lawmakers introduced distance learning provisions around instructional time, attendance and connecting with parents.

January 28, 2020

Children’s mental health a cause for concern in report on California youth policies

California is doing a better job serving children in some areas, but received an 'F' grade for its school mental health services.

December 10, 2019

Education groups renew call for Newsom to put tax for schools to voters in 2020

A coalition organized by Children Now wants the governor to negotiate with Prop. 13 reformers for one tax initiative on the November ballot.

November 6, 2019

State audit finds education money not serving high-needs students, calls for changes in funding law

After examining three districts' spending, State Auditor Elaine Howle calls for tighter controls over Local Control Funding Formula.

October 25, 2019

Dueling tax measures in 2020; sizing up Tim White's impact on CSU

This week: We discuss retiring CSU Chancellor Timothy White's impact and why two competing taxes on the November 2020 ballot would be problematic.

November 28, 2018

California school districts to get ‘wake-up call’ with new absenteeism measures

At least 40 percent of California school districts and charter schools have rates of chronic absence in grades K-8 that are high or very high based on new performance measures that will be unveiled next month.

David Washburn

Testing and Accountability

July 10, 2018

Pressure builds to change how California measures student progress on state tests

Student advocacy groups and academics are seeking to adopt a model other states use to calculate the impact of students’ test score growth, but state staff urge patience.

John Fensterwald And Mikhail Zinshteyn

Teachers

July 3, 2018

San Francisco school finds key to raising math scores: Teacher training

Intensive teacher training led to John Muir Elementary seeing a spike in math scores