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California’s largest school districts use aggressive tactics to find teachers

| September 30, 2016

Most of California’s largest school districts filled nearly all their job openings.

Brown vetoes bill requiring charters to comply with conflict of interest, open records laws

| September 30, 2016

The California Teachers Association campaigned hard for its passage.

Preschool teachers’ implicit bias impacts black boys most, study says

| September 29, 2016

The study focused on teachers’ reactions and expectations regarding behavior.

Great Public Schools Now promising grant of $3.75 million for high-performing LA schools

| September 29, 2016

Great Public Schools Now, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles that grew out of a plan to double the number of charter schools in Los Angeles Unified, said on Thursday it will provide up to $3.75 million to five L.A. Unified schools where at least half of the students met or exceeded proficiency in English or math on California’s Smarter Balanced tests linked to…

Brown vetoes half-dozen K-12 bills, citing budget pressure

By John Fensterwald

| September 29, 2016

He also nixes more money for Dream Centers for undocumented students at state colleges.

UC is joining Boys & Girls Clubs to boost university enrollment

By Larry Gordon

| September 28, 2016

Select campuses will partner with local clubs.

Animated videos help teachers build sense of empathy in students

By Jane Meredith Adams

| September 28, 2016

The videos are designed to help teach social and emotional skills.

LA principal encourages students to be peacemakers, not peace breakers

By Michael Janofsky

| September 25, 2016

Marcia Reed, principal of 186th Street Elementary School in Los Angeles Unified, was honored this month as a 2016 National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The association recognizes one outstanding principal in each of the 50 states each year. Now in her 13th year as principal, Reed was selected by her fellow principals statewide, in part for the academic…

Yuba City strike magnified tension over funding formula

By John Fensterwald

| September 22, 2016

The issue: Can targeted dollars fund across-the-board teacher raises?

$9 billion California school bond struggling to gain support, poll says

By John Fensterwald

| September 21, 2016

Backers of extending the tax on wealthy residents also have yet to seal the deal.

Tracking educational progress of California’s foster children just a first step

By Michelle Traiman

| September 21, 2016

Commentary

Last week, for the first time in history, California released statewide data on the educational outcomes of students in foster care. Until now, the state has not published school data on the approximately 70,000 foster children in California’s children separately from other children. But as a requirement of the state’s Local Control Funding Formula, the California Department of Education has just published data on…

National commission aims to improve schools through social and emotional learning

By Jane Meredith Adams

| September 20, 2016

Seven Californians are on the Aspen Institute commission.

New school improvement agency plans first public events

By John Fensterwald

| September 20, 2016

California Collaborative for Educational Excellence will focus on tying LCAPs to data.

Cal State system moves one step closer to initiative boosting graduation rates

By Fermin Leal

| September 20, 2016

The plan includes offering more course sections and improving academic support for students.

California Superior Court rejects efforts to tie teacher evaluations to test scores

By Louis Freedberg

| September 20, 2016

In another defeat for Students Matter, an advocacy organization challenging a range of employment laws affecting teachers, a California Superior Court judge has ruled against the group’s efforts to force districts to use student test scores as part of a teacher’s evaluation. Students Matter last year filed the Doe vs. Antioch lawsuit against 13 California school districts, including Antioch Unified School District in the San Francisco…

California moves forward in multi-state collaboration on social and emotional learning

By Jane Meredith Adams

| September 19, 2016

A team of 13 educators will lead the development of social and emotional learning guidelines.

Districts join new data sharing partnership

By John Fensterwald

| September 18, 2016

The CORE Data Collaborative would serve districts that together enroll 30 percent of the state’s students.

Governor signs emergency allergy medicine legislation but rebukes Epi-Pen price hikes

By Jane Meredith Adams

| September 16, 2016

The price of a two-pack of Epi-Pen auto-injectors has gone from $100 to more than $600.

Colleges expand services for undocumented students as legislation seeks more

By Larry Gordon

| September 15, 2016

The centers provide academic, financial and legal help, among other services.

Poll: To address teacher shortage, pay them more

By Louis Freedberg and Theresa Harrington

| September 14, 2016

More than half of voters never heard of state’s Local Control Funding Formula.

Three California schools awarded $10 million each to ‘reimagine high school’

By Theresa Harrington

| September 14, 2016

About 700 schools entered the competition to “reimagine high school.”

Los Angeles robotics school opens pathways for visionary middle school students

By Pat Maio

| September 13, 2016

The new magnet school provides students a hands-on learning experience.

Student leaders of CSU, UC talk financial aid, hunger and housing

By Larry Gordon

| September 12, 2016

The student presidents represent all campuses in their respective public university systems.

For those parents who can afford them, ride services ease logistical burdens

By Jeremy Hay

| September 11, 2016

Ride services for kids as young as 2 are growing in popularity.

‘College Promise’ programs reaching more students in California

By Louis Freedberg

| September 8, 2016

At least 23 community colleges are offering “College Promise” initiatives.

State board unanimously adopts new school accountability system

By John Fensterwald

| September 8, 2016

Some issues are unresolved, but speakers agreed the board is headed in the right direction.

Kindergarten readiness gap between low-income and higher-income students shrinking

By Jeremy Hay

| September 7, 2016

Researchers find achievement gap at kindergarten is narrowing

California students with highest chronic absentee rates concentrated in 14 districts

Data Story

By Jane Meredith Adams

| September 7, 2016

The new data map is based on information collected by the federal Office for Civil Rights.

Governor pressed to sign accountability bill at odds with state board

By John Fensterwald

| September 7, 2016

Organizations say parents need a simpler school report card.

California’s first College and Career Readiness metric still being fine-tuned

By Fermin Leal

| September 6, 2016

Education officials want to ensure the indicator measures both areas of study.

State board poised to take new direction in school accountability

By John Fensterwald

| September 5, 2016

Schools and districts will be measured based on parent involvement, college and career readiness and, of course, test scores.

Counties turn to ‘transition specialists’ to help students in court schools succeed

By Michael Collier

| September 1, 2016

A voter-approved state sentencing law has cut the time students spend in court schools.

Parent group withdraws suit against school vaccination law

By Jane Meredith Adams

| September 1, 2016

A coalition of parents has dropped its lawsuit challenging California’s new vaccination law that prohibits parents whose children attend public or private schools from opting out of required vaccinations based on their personal beliefs. Their action came a week after a federal judge in San Diego ruled that the case had little chance of success. “All plaintiffs have, for strategic reasons, voluntarily agreed to dismiss their…

Major overhaul of Head Start standards to impact length of program days

By Jeremy Hay

| September 1, 2016

New rules for Head Start most significant changes to federal program since 1975

Oakland Unified to expand computer science and math with tech company grant

By Pat Maio

| September 1, 2016

The Oakland Unified School District has scored another big grant from a technology company to help expand its computer science and math curriculum — a move designed to accelerate graduation rates in a district that has seen 40 percent of its students drop out of school in recent years. Salesforce.org, the philanthropic arm of San Francisco-based cloud-computing firm Salesforce, announced a new partnership Thursday…

Dissenting judge awaits second chance to corral a majority on school funding lawsuit

By John Fensterwald

| August 31, 2016

Plaintiffs weigh their options, including another lawsuit to define how much funding is adequate.

California teachers union launches campaign to link billionaires with charter schools

By Michael Janofsky

| August 31, 2016

Fresh off a victory in a lawsuit that would have changed state employment rules for teachers, the California Teachers Association is launching a statewide radio campaign calling for more “accountability and transparency” of California charter schools. The campaign, which started Wednesday, is aimed at calling attention to “a small group of billionaires” the union says support charter schools to the detriment of traditional public…

Survey finds worrisome short tenures for community college chiefs

By Larry Gordon

| August 30, 2016

Researchers believe leadership is crucial to improving student retention rates.

Add ending gun violence to list of essential school reforms

By Louis Freedberg

| August 29, 2016

Commentary

No district leader should have to send out a welcome back letter like the one parents received from Berkeley Unified School Superintendent Donald Evans. His letter was a cry from the heart in response to the loss of four of the district’s recent graduates who were shot to death in recent weeks. The violence Evans wrote about did not take place on a…

National poll shows differing views about focus of public education

By Theresa Harrington

| August 29, 2016

Survey respondents grade campuses and weigh in on fixing failed schools.

Oakland schools nearly fully staffed after starting summer with teacher shortage

By Theresa Harrington

| August 28, 2016

The district hired more than 400 teachers before school started last week.

Cal State system pushes students to graduate in four years, improve low completion rates

By Larry Gordon

| August 25, 2016

The CSU system is in line for a $35 million grant if it adopts plans to boost four-year graduation rates.

Higher test scores, yes, but no narrowing of achievement gaps in California

By John Fensterwald

| August 24, 2016

Smarter Balanced scores show some groups exceed average while English learners lag.

California’s students make progress on standardized tests, new results show

By Theresa Harrington

| August 24, 2016

Students made gains at all grade levels in math and English language arts.

New computer science course’s challenge is finding qualified teachers to teach it

By Pat Maio

| August 23, 2016

One-fifth of California high schools will offer the course this year

Oversight of private special education schools begins at Oakland Unified

By Jane Meredith Adams

| August 18, 2016

Oakland Unified is facing compliance deadlines to prove it is monitoring students at private special education schools.

Former English learner spearheads new system for tracking students

By Theresa Harrington

| August 18, 2016

Liz Serrato doesn’t want English learners to fall through the cracks.

Bill calls for uniform AP exam credit policy for California community colleges

By Fermin Leal

| August 16, 2016

All of California’s 113 community colleges could be required to award college credit to incoming students who scored a 3 or higher on Advanced Placement exams, under a bill currently before the state Senate. Assembly Bill 1985, sponsored by Assemblyman Das Williams, D-Santa Barbara, calls for community colleges statewide to adopt the same AP exam credit policy that the University of California and California…

Key education bills still alive – and some that aren’t

By EdSource staff

| August 15, 2016

The Legislature must decide the fate of virtual charters, union organizing and ethnic studies, among other issues.

Judge will wait before ruling on request to stop new vaccination law

By Jane Meredith Adams

| August 12, 2016

If the injunction is granted, the personal belief exemption will temporarily be reinstated.

The basics of state’s new school improvement system

By John Fensterwald

| August 11, 2016

California is making big changes in how it evaluates school and district performance.

Visalia charter students get hands-on Common Core lessons

By Theresa Harrington

| August 10, 2016

Students learn by doing through agriculture-themed lessons on a campus farm.

Dual language programs could get boost with initiative on November ballot

By Michael Janofsky

| August 9, 2016

The measure would replace Proposition 227, which severely limits bilingual education.

Bill to alter subsidized childcare eligibility rules stalled

By Jeremy Hay

| August 9, 2016

Legislators can’t agree on how much the proposed law would cost.

Teachers’ pay trails that of other workers with college degrees

By John Fensterwald

| August 9, 2016

Study finds the gap reaches 17 percent and 11 percent in total compensation.

Disease rates likely to fall as new vaccination law takes effect, medical experts say

By Jane Meredith Adams

| August 8, 2016

With the new vaccination law, California becomes a worldwide leader in promoting childhood vaccinations.

State reaffirms that LA Unified violated funding formula

By John Fensterwald

| August 8, 2016

The advocacy groups that challenged the district want an immediate remedy.

California bill would change law governing eligibility period for subsidized child care

By Jeremy Hay

| August 7, 2016

Families would be guaranteed eligibility for 12 months instead of having to reapply two or more times a year.

Federal investigators cite harsh discipline in special education at Bay Area school

By Jane Meredith Adams

| August 4, 2016

The investigation concluded that the district violated federal education and disability law.

Top state education officials detail objections to federal regulations

By John Fensterwald

| August 2, 2016

The letter criticizes the proposed rules, saying they say would “derail” the state’s progress toward a new accountability system.

Proposed federal, state accountability systems could again clash

By John Fensterwald

| August 1, 2016

A new analysis says federal system would discount California’s school climate, college and career indicators.

Report charges many charter schools exclude children in violation of the law

By Louis Freedberg

| August 1, 2016

Charter schools are required to admit all students who want to attend.

CORE districts want state waiver to continue their work

By John Fensterwald

| July 31, 2016

They cite innovative work measuring high school readiness and learning mindsets.

Clinton’s vice-presidential pick could raise profile of K-12 issues in presidential campaign

By Louis Freedberg

| July 28, 2016

Up to this point, education has not been a major focus.

Bill calls for California high schools to award ‘Seal of STEM’ to proficient graduates

By Fermin Leal

| July 28, 2016

The goal is to keep students competitive in a global market.

As deadline looms, California struggles to finalize new school accountability system

By Louis Freedberg

| July 27, 2016

The new system will move away from relying primarily on test scores.

Elementary school students in STEM academy mingle with big-time scientists

By Nadra Nittle

| July 26, 2016

The Pasadena elementary school received a federal grant to launch a STEM magnet program.

Some districts step up competition for neighbors’ veteran teachers

By John Fensterwald

| July 25, 2016

The districts are no longer restricted from matching pay and years of work experience.

Experts say schools must do more to address early signs of sexual harassment

By Jane Meredith Adams

| July 24, 2016

Unwanted sexual comments and jokes are against the law at schools, but enforcement has been minimal.

Los Angeles Unified will open first single-gender school in 20 years

By Michael Janofsky

| July 21, 2016

The all-girls school will focus on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.

Letter details opposition to federal proposal defining student success on tests

By John Fensterwald

| July 20, 2016

The state board agrees with a USC professor studying the issue – minimum proficiency is too narrow a measure.

More needs to be done to make schools safe, state superintendent says

By Pat Maio

| July 20, 2016

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson told a group of school safety experts in Garden Grove that more needs to be done to keep violence from reaching school campuses in California. Speaking Wednesday at the annual Safe Schools conference, Torlakson said safety on school campuses remains a top priority, giving the state a grade of 4 on a scale of 1 to 5,…

Cal State LA’s new downtown campus joins trend aimed at working adults

By Larry Gordon

| July 19, 2016

The universities are opening satellite campuses in urban centers.

Incoming community college chief wants to increase full-time enrollments and graduation rates

By Larry Gordon

| July 18, 2016

The new chancellor will be the first Latino to lead the statewide system.

New rating system provides insight into child care and preschool programs

By Jeremy Hay

| July 17, 2016

One county’s experience is a window into how childcare and preschool centers are rated.

What parents need to know about California’s childcare and preschool rating system

By Jeremy Hay

| July 17, 2016

Tips for parents about the state’s quality ratings system for childcare centers and preschools

Bechtel Foundation awards $10 Million for CSU teacher preparation

By Pat Maio

| July 15, 2016

California State University has announced grants of more than $10 million to expand a program on 11 campuses that prepares K-8 teachers for implementing the state’s new math and science standards. The New Generation of Educators Initiative, which began two years ago, is funded by the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation. The Next Generation Science Standards are being put into place as part of the new…

Bus tours take high school students to colleges – and maybe their futures

By Larry Gordon

| July 14, 2016

Students get a glimpse of campuses outside their communities.

After hours of testimony, state board adopts history guidelines

By John Fensterwald

| July 14, 2016

Hundreds of Muslim, Hindu Americans took offense at references to their religions.

State board backs plans for California’s first college and career readiness indicator

By Fermin Leal

| July 13, 2016

The metric will be one part of the state’s new accountability system.

$Brooke DeGuzman, a math teacher, explains a math problem to middle school students attending a Summer Algebra Institute in San Bernardino.$

Summer algebra institute helps prepare students for high school math

By Pat Maio

| July 12, 2016

The program is attempting to alleviate a persistent achievement gap.

New resources designed to make Common Core-aligned tests more useful

By Theresa Harrington

| July 12, 2016

California is providing a range of new resources to teachers, parents and the public to make Smarter Balanced tests and student scores easier to understand — and more useful in actually guiding instruction. The State Board of Education on Wednesday will discuss new parent and teacher resources that are available to help understand the tests, as well as improvements to the public website, where this year’s…

How to decipher the state’s proposed school and district report cards

By John Fensterwald

| July 11, 2016

The state board hopes parents and the public will embrace a multi-colored dashboard.

Superintendents, advocacy groups at odds over revising LCAP

By John Fensterwald

| July 11, 2016

Changes would make the document better organized but not easier to track expenditures.

NAACP lawsuit alleges Antioch Unified violated school discipline agreement

By Jane Meredith Adams

| July 8, 2016

A disproportionate number of African-American students are suspended or expelled.

Tobinworld closing its Antioch school for special education students

By Michael Janofsky

| July 8, 2016

An Antioch special education school is closing after the Oakland Unified and Antioch Unified school districts removed students and withdrew funding for the school. The districts’ actions came in the aftermath of investigations by state and law enforcement agencies into several allegations against Tobinworld II, a nonprofit special education school that serves students ages 5 to 22 with autism, emotional disturbances, developmental disabilities and learning…

Mixed marks for California in its approach to early education teacher pay

By Jeremy Hay

| July 7, 2016

The report finds most states lacking in policies to support higher wages in the early education workforce.

Dual enrollment programs attracting more students in California high schools

By Fermin Leal

| July 4, 2016

Students can graduate high school with an associate degree.

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Cal State University may require four years of high school math for admission

By Pat Maio

| June 30, 2016

University officials believe students need more math preparation.

State budget adds $200 million for community college workforce training programs

By Fermin Leal

| June 30, 2016

Funding is aimed at increasing the number of skilled workers.

Study finds California community colleges working to improve federal loan access

By Larry Gordon

| June 29, 2016

Some campuses don’t participate in the program because they fear sanctions.

Education secretary takes heat for pushing single rating of schools

By Louis Freedberg

| June 29, 2016

California is moving toward a system comprised of multiple measures.

Bill extending teacher probation dies in committee

By John Fensterwald

| June 29, 2016

Even sympathetic senators cite misgivings with bill’s current form.

Supreme Court denies rehearing of Friedrichs v. CTA lawsuit on union dues

By Louis Freedberg

| June 28, 2016

In one of the last acts of the current term, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition from plaintiffs in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association to rehear the case that the court had already ruled on in a 4-4-opinion in March. The lawsuit sought to eliminate “agency fees” that require teachers to pay a portion of union dues. If the plaintiffs – Rebecca Friedrichs…

Brown signs 2016-17 state budget intact

By John Fensterwald

| June 28, 2016

Budget includes more slots for preschool, 4% funding increase for K-12

Criticism escalates for online charter operator

By John Fensterwald

| June 27, 2016

The bill would ban online schools from contracting with the for-profit operator, K12. Inc.

Bill keeps longer tenure, scraps other ‘Vergara reforms’

By John Fensterwald

| June 26, 2016

Students Matter pulls its support, but Assemblywoman Bonilla gains other backers.

New framework for teaching K-12 science moves closer to approval

By Pat Maio

| June 26, 2016

The new approach emphasizes experiments and hands-on learning.

School police, special ed discipline and juvenile camps under investigation

By Jane Meredith Adams

| June 24, 2016

School discipline and foster youth practices are targeted in state investigations.

New state agency gets infusion of money to promote school success

By John Fensterwald

| June 23, 2016

The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence will spread the word on new metrics and work with pilot districts.

Education organizations merge to expand programs in Los Angeles County

By Michael Janofsky

| June 23, 2016

Two nonprofit educational organizations said Thursday they are merging, with plans to expand their programs that largely operate in the Los Angeles Unified school district to districts countywide. The two groups, LA’s Promise and the Los Angeles Fund for Public Education, said the new organization, the LA Promise Fund for Public Schools, will offer their current programs to the 80 other school districts within Los Angeles…

Report: Separate transitional kindergarten class may better prepare students for kindergarten

By Jeremy Hay

| June 22, 2016

Stand-alone transitional kindergarten classes are now more common in California.

Great Public Schools Now promises help for LA Unified schools

By Michael Janofsky

| June 22, 2016

The effort is focused on 10 neighborhoods with poorly performing schools.

What will it take to stop gun violence that takes young lives one at a time?

By Louis Freedberg

| June 21, 2016

Commentary

Congress’ failure to do anything to prevent mass shootings of the kind that disproportionately take the lives of young people was all too predictable – and depressing. After all, if Congress could not be moved to act after 1st-graders were slaughtered at Sandy Hook Elementary, or students were killed in their classrooms at Columbine High, it is hard to imagine that any thing else…

Regional partnerships showing promise for students, businesses, local economies

By Fermin Leal

| June 21, 2016

Though he just finished his sophomore year of high school earlier this month, Joshua Carreon is no stranger to college or the workplace beyond. As part of his coursework at Wonderful Agriculture Career Prep, just north of Bakersfield, he belongs to the school’s agriculture business pathway, an innovative course of study that includes agriculture science and technology in high school, college-level business classes from…

Inspire but don’t test for vital qualities of mind like grit

By John Fensterwald

| June 20, 2016

Paul Tough discusses the highlights of his new book, “Helping Children Succeed.”

State delays forcing LA Unified to spend more on high-needs students

By John Fensterwald

| June 19, 2016

The district plans to fight the ruling; the community group wants it enforced now.

Pro-charter group spends big in Los Angeles-area Assembly races

By Michael Janofsky

| June 16, 2016

The committee spent more than $1.3 million in support of one Assembly candidate.

Budget pushes UC to limit non-resident enrollment, CSU to boost graduation rates

By Larry Gordon

| June 16, 2016

UC is being asked to increase the number of California students it enrolls.

State budget heads to Gov. Brown: How education fared

By John Fensterwald

| June 15, 2016

4% increase in Prop. 98 next year; early ed to receive $500 million more over 4 years

New reform group taking aim at under-performing schools in Los Angeles

By Michael Janofsky

| June 15, 2016

The Broad Foundation announces its latest plan for creating “high-quality” schools.

Low wages undermine efforts to improve the quality of preschools, federal report says

By Michael Collier

| June 14, 2016

Preschool teachers paid about half of what kindergarten teachers make.

California moves to catch up on K-12 computer science curriculum

By Pat Maio

| June 13, 2016

The state currently lacks computer science curriculum standards.

Report: California public colleges not producing enough STEM degrees

By Fermin Leal

| June 13, 2016

The state ranks near the bottom nationally in the rate of bachelor and associate STEM degrees.

California and proposed federal regulations at odds on how to rate schools

By Louis Freedberg

| June 12, 2016

Federal draft regulations are calling for a ‘single rating’ of schools

Discipline in private special education schools under investigation by California attorney general

By Jane Meredith Adams

| June 9, 2016

Officials examining Tobinworld and other schools in California.

State board may make it easier to follow the money

By John Fensterwald

| June 9, 2016

Unclear regulations and inconsistent enforcement undermine oversight of the LCAP process.

Tulare County superintendent: Accountability ‘about process’ as much as the document

By Michael Collier

| June 9, 2016

California’s 58 county offices of education generally receive far less attention than the school districts within their geographic boundaries. But they have been given an important role in implementing the financial reforms championed by Gov. Jerry Brown. In particular, they are responsible for approving the Local Control and Accountability Plans that every district is required to draw up. Here, Tulare County schools superintendent Jim Vidak gives…

UC admissions applicants face more essay choices, shorter lengths

By Larry Gordon

| June 8, 2016

Admissions officials say the change may help them identify talent and potential.

Santa Clara County superintendent: Stakeholder engagement ‘the largest change’ in LCAPs

By Michael Collier

| June 8, 2016

California’s 58 county offices of education generally receive far less attention than the school districts within their geographic boundaries. But they have been given an important role in implementing the financial reforms championed by Gov. Jerry Brown. In particular, they are responsible for approving the Local Control and Accountability Plans that every district is required to draw up. Here, Santa Clara County schools superintendent Jon Gundry…

Sacramento County schools superintendent: Accountability plans ‘an enormous adjustment’

By Michael Collier

| June 8, 2016

California’s 58 county offices of education generally receive far less attention than the school districts within their geographic boundaries. But they have been given an important role in implementing the financial reforms championed by Gov. Jerry Brown. In particular, they are responsible for approving the Local Control and Accountability Plans that every district is required to draw up. Here, Sacramento County schools superintendent David Gordon gives his…

Parents to receive easier-to-read reports on Smarter Balanced test scores

By Theresa Harrington

| June 7, 2016

2016 reports will show how students progressed from last year to this year.

Report: Early childhood education programs key to success of dual language learners

By Susan Frey and Louis Freedberg

| June 7, 2016

Early childhood education programs in California have a critically important role to play in preparing children whose first language is not English to succeed in kindergarten and beyond, according to a new EdSource report. Titled “Promoting Success for Dual Language Learners: The Essential Role of Early Childhood Education Programs,” the report outlines seven challenges these programs face in meeting the needs of children under the age…

Preserving Native American languages by teaching the youngest students

By Susan Frey

| June 6, 2016

Head Start teachers face a number of obstacles in teaching native languages.

Orange County superintendent: ‘We must support our districts’

By Michael Collier

| June 6, 2016

California’s 58 county offices of education generally receive far less attention than the school districts within their geographic boundaries. But they have been given an important role in implementing the financial reforms championed by Gov. Jerry Brown. In particular, they are responsible for approving the Local Control and Accountability Plans that every district is required to draw up. Here, Orange County schools superintendent Al Mijares gives…

County superintendents speak out on making accountability work

By Michael Collier

| June 6, 2016

California’s 58 county offices of education generally receive far less attention than the school districts within their geographic boundaries. But they have been given an important role in implementing the financial reforms championed by Gov. Jerry Brown. In particular, they are responsible for approving the Local Control and Accountability Plans that every district is required to draw up. To get a sense of their expanding roles…

With costs unclear, Clinton lays out ambitious plans for early education

By Jeremy Hay

| June 5, 2016

Hillary Clinton’s plans would reshape the landscape of early childhood education.

What’s in a name? Everything, at California high school graduation

By John Fensterwald

| June 2, 2016

Students value the extra effort that teachers take to pronounce their names.

Cost of suspensions is high for students who drop out after discipline, report finds

By Jane Meredith Adams

| June 2, 2016

Researchers put the cost at $755,000 for each student who drops out.

State officials find LA Unified shortchanged students

By John Fensterwald

| June 1, 2016

The shortfall for students with the highest needs will grow to $450 million, the complaint says.

Schools will begin to track students from military families

By Jane Meredith Adams

| June 1, 2016

A new “military student identifier” will track students’ progress as they move.

Effort grows to oppose governor’s early education budget

By Jeremy Hay

| June 1, 2016

Early education and childcare advocates press their opposition to Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget.

California bill takes aim at religious colleges that seek to bar transgender students

By Jane Meredith Adams

| May 31, 2016

Some campuses have sought exemptions from anti-discrimination laws.

Study: Funding, leadership key to pre-K and early school years alignment

By Jeremy Hay

| May 31, 2016

Preschool curriculum increasingly seen as a key to academic success in the early grades.

Many Dream Act scholarships for undocumented students go unused

By Larry Gordon

| May 30, 2016

Some students are not utilizing the Cal Grants they have been awarded.

Report seeks English learner, special ed student supports

By Theresa Harrington

| May 27, 2016

Teachers’ group aims to improve instruction for unique student populations.

Facing potential economic downturn, LA Unified considers financial future

By Michael Janofsky

| May 26, 2016

The district could lose hundreds of millions of dollars.

State bends on deadline for transitional kindergarten teacher preparation stipends

By Jeremy Hay

| May 26, 2016

State education officials have extended the deadline for counties to distribute teacher stipends.

U.S. Dept. of Education releases draft regulations for new federal law

By Louis Freedberg

| May 26, 2016

The law gives states and local school districts more authority.

Building California’s initial college, career readiness metric could prove challenging

By Fermin Leal

| May 25, 2016

State officials are considering a number of possible measures.

Plaintiffs appeal Vergara decision and back legislative fix

By John Fensterwald

| May 24, 2016

The bill would mandate coaching for ineffective teachers and make it easier to fire them.

As kindergarten readiness bill evolves, some remain concerned about its effect on learning

By Jeremy Hay

| May 22, 2016

The bill would define what it means to be ready for kindergarten.

Gov. Brown’s push for more undergraduates to get teaching credentials

By Louis Freedberg and John Fensterwald

| May 19, 2016

Plan would support “blended” teacher preparation programs.

CORE districts turn spotlight on struggling student groups

By John Fensterwald

| May 18, 2016

Reducing the subgroup size gives a more complete picture of performance, a new study finds.

Taking stock of student testing amid changes nationwide

By Theresa Harrington

| May 17, 2016

Education officials and experts discuss changes in state standardized tests.

California’s graduation, dropout rates improve for the sixth straight year

By Fermin Leal

| May 17, 2016

About 82 percent of the state’s high school students graduated last year.

In California, lessons on transgender student access to facilities

By Jane Meredith Adams

| May 16, 2016

California has provided equal access to facilities for transgender students since 2014.

Study: Extended support eases transition for foster youth into adulthood

By Susan Frey

| May 15, 2016

Recent changes have helped foster youth, but researchers say the state should offer more services.

Governor’s latest early education budget proposal disappoints advocates, providers

By Jeremy Hay

| May 13, 2016

In his latest early education budget proposal, Gov. Jerry Brown proposes the same as he did before.

Despite revenue warning, school funding will rise

By John Fensterwald

| May 13, 2016

Most additional money would feed Local Control Funding Formula.

Report: California’s charter schools lag behind traditional schools in graduating students

By Fermin Leal

| May 12, 2016

One-fourth of California students who didn’t graduate attended charter schools, including those targeting potential dropouts.

California lags in national report on public preschool systems

By Jeremy Hay

| May 12, 2016

California received mediocre marks in a national study of preschool access, quality and funding.

UC regents lament persistent low African-American enrollment

By Larry Gordon

| May 11, 2016

The percentage has remained about the same since 1999.

LA Unified turning to magnet schools to stem enrollment and revenue declines

By Michael Janofsky

| May 10, 2016

The district has more than 200 magnet schools.

Avoiding controversy, California declines to clarify vaccination law and special ed

By Jane Meredith Adams

| May 9, 2016

At issue is whether special ed students need to comply with the new vaccination law.

Local accountability plans key to success of California’s school reforms

By Louis Freedberg

| May 9, 2016

Commentary

The revisions to the specifications for the Local Control and Accountability Plan that the State Board of Education will consider this week in Sacramento may sound technical and bureaucratic, far removed from the challenges teachers and students face in the classroom. The goal of the revisions is to produce “a transparent, user-friendly LCAP template for improved planning, accountability, and continuous improvement purposes,” according to a…

Teachers weigh in on value of test preparation

By Theresa Harrington

| May 9, 2016

Teachers value activities that are aligned to curriculum, which they choose.

State board to choose school improvement metrics

By John Fensterwald

| May 8, 2016

Career and college readiness measures won’t be on initial list.

Money may be left on table in training program for transitional kindergarten teachers

By Jeremy Hay

| May 5, 2016

Not enough teachers are signing up for the program.

Broad alliance formed to expand preschool at local level

By Jeremy Hay

| May 1, 2016

A collaboration of organizations is trying to expand access to 500 children not enrolled.

Bill would increase funding for adult education by $250 million

By Susan Frey

| April 29, 2016

The bill would reinstate funds diverted to K-12 schools during the recession.

Supply lags booming demand for career technical teachers

By John Fensterwald

| April 28, 2016

CSU foresees teachers with dual credentials as one solution.

$math book calculus$

Report: ‘College prep for all’ mandate may block some students from graduating

By Fermin Leal

| April 27, 2016

San Diego Unified School District’s mandate that every high school student complete the sequence of college preparation courses required for admission for California’s public universities could prevent scores of students this spring from graduating, according to a report released Wednesday. The Public Policy Institute of California’s review of San Diego’s requirement that all high school students complete the series of 15 yearlong college prep…

Survey: African-American students cite poor diversity in turning down UC

By Fermin Leal

| April 27, 2016

About 3.6 percent of UC students are African-American.

Bill would give legislators a say in shaping new accountability system

By John Fensterwald

| April 26, 2016

The state board would have to measure school climate and chronic absenteeism.

School budget laws complicate tracking of Common Core spending

By Theresa Harrington

| April 25, 2016

Difficult to know how much money is being spent on standards implementation.

Biden announces $100 million in job training funds for colleges

By Larry Gordon

| April 25, 2016

The Obama administration on Monday announced a new $100 million grant program to help community colleges and other schools start or bolster tuition-free training and education arrangements with local industry, emphasizing technology, health care and manufacturing. Starting this summer, community colleges will be able to compete for America’s Promise Job-Driven Training grants, according to a summary of a speech delivered by vice president Joe…

State’s largest districts moving to stand-alone classes for transitional kindergarten

By Susan Frey

| April 24, 2016

Half of the districts are offering only stand-alone classes for transitional kindergartners.

Khan Academy, College Board create an SAT practice program, but impact unclear

By Larry Gordon

| April 21, 2016

Ten students, most of them 11th-graders striving to become the first in their families to attend college, gathered recently for an after-school program at the Boys and Girls Club in San Pedro. The attraction: a new online practice program from the Khan Academy for upcoming SAT exams, a tool that could boost their scores and enhance their chances of gaining college admission. Not only…

Appeals Court denies constitutional right to minimum K-12 funding

By John Fensterwald

| April 20, 2016

The split decision says the Legislature has the prerogative to determine how much to spend.

Poll: Voters support school bond and Prop. 30 extension

By John Fensterwald

| April 20, 2016

The PPIC survey also shows widespread support for pre-school funding.

Outdoor programs play supporting role for state’s new science standards

By Michael Collier

| April 19, 2016

Students learn science with binoculars and a note pad.

Report: State not tracking mental health services for special ed students

By Jane Meredith Adams

| April 18, 2016

School districts are supposed to spend $400 million a year on those services.

As LA Unified board president, Zimmer facing re-election challenge

By Michael Janofsky

| April 17, 2016

The two candidates differ on the issue of school autonomy.

Legislators reject Brown’s early education plan, boosting advocates

By Jeremy Hay

| April 15, 2016

Early education advocates are encouraged by budget discussions.

Advocacy groups urge state board to tighten LCAP requirements

By John Fensterwald

| April 14, 2016

Three reports cite a lack of transparency in local accountability plans.

California appeals court overturns Vergara ruling

By John Fensterwald

| April 14, 2016

The lawsuit challenged several statutes regarding teacher hiring and firing.

Districts, unions innovate to evaluate teachers

By John Fensterwald

| April 13, 2016

Researchers say San Juan, Poway and San Jose have made painstaking progress.

Commission calls for major new investments in early education

By Jeremy Hay

| April 13, 2016

The report calls for programs for all children 5 and younger.

New federal law extends support to homeless preschool students

By Susan Frey

| April 13, 2016

Preschool students can remain enrolled in their home school if they move.

Bill aims to increase college readiness among state’s low-income students

By Fermin Leal

| April 12, 2016

The proposed funding would increase the number of college preparation courses.

Teacher career pathways growing, but not fast enough to tackle state’s teacher shortage

By Fermin Leal

| April 11, 2016

High school students get hands-on instruction in teaching.

Early education advocates take $800 million ‘ask’ to Sacramento

By Jeremy Hay

| April 10, 2016

The amount requested would increase the number of children with access to preschool.

Some after-school program providers say flat funding may cause them to close

By Susan Frey

| April 6, 2016

The reimbursement rate for program providers has not increased in 10 years.

South Africa offers civics lesson on constitutional power

By Louis Freedberg

| April 6, 2016

Commentary

As it has so often in the last several decades, South Africa provides civic lessons for the rest of the world — and for young people in particular — far out of proportion to its size and influence on the global political stage. I have just returned from a visit to South Africa, my first since the death of Nelson Mandela two years ago. His absence…

Besieged teachers unions reach out to their members

By John Fensterwald

| April 5, 2016

Teachers’ concerns extend beyond bread-and-butter issues, union leaders say.

Number of new math and science teachers declining in California

By Pat Maio

| April 4, 2016

The state has long struggled with a shortage of math and science teachers.

University of California admits 8,488 more California freshman for this fall

By Fermin Leal

| April 4, 2016

Following staunch criticism of the University of California for enrolling an increased number of out-of-state students while in-state enrollment remained relatively flat, the system announced Monday it has significantly boosted the number of state residents offered fall admission as freshmen. The 10-campus system admitted 15 percent more California freshman, an increase of 8,488 students, compared with the number of in-state freshman admitted last fall. Altogether,…

To reach parents, schools try universal language of data

By Jane Meredith Adams

| April 3, 2016

The program uses parent-teacher teams to share information.

High school diplomas at last for students who failed exit exam

By Fermin Leal

| March 31, 2016

“A shot of confidence” and new opportunities for some; others are still waiting.

Bill would limit autonomy of LA Unified inspector general regarding charter schools

By Michael Janofsky

| March 30, 2016

The office would answer to the seven-member school board.

Report: 170,000 California children eligible for state preschool aren’t enrolled

By Jeremy Hay

| March 29, 2016

A new report found there are 170,000 3- and 4-year-olds who are eligible for state preschool but don’t have access to it, and early education advocates said that highlighted the gaps in the state’s early learning system.

State auditor, UC issue conflicting reports on impact of nonresident students

By Fermin Leal

| March 29, 2016

Audit report claims fewer California residents are admitted to UC campuses.

Split Supreme Court vote gives win by default to CTA – for now

By John Fensterwald

| March 29, 2016

The case challenged public employee union’s right to collect mandatory dues.

Complaint says district must revise LCAP in passing big pay raise

By John Fensterwald

| March 28, 2016

Without more transparency, districts can play shell game with money, law firm charges.

LAO proposes full-day preschool for all low-income working families

By Jeremy Hay

| March 22, 2016

The recommendation would cover an estimated 270,000 4-year-olds.

Board’s dilemma: how best to measure schools by using more than tests

By John Fensterwald

| March 21, 2016

Parents and student advocates press for school climate and parent involvement metrics.

Study: Preschool funding needs to support 10 ‘building blocks’ of quality

By Susan Frey

| March 21, 2016

California needs a preschool funding strategy that ensures quality, a new study says.

California Community Colleges board names interim chancellor

By Larry Gordon

| March 21, 2016

The California Community Colleges Board of Governors on Monday appointed a veteran insider as a temporary replacement for retiring chancellor Brice W. Harris, who is stepping down April 1 as head of a system that enrolls 2.1 million students. Erik Skinner, who is now deputy chancellor of the sprawling network of 113 community colleges in 72 districts, will serve as interim chancellor until a…

The ‘Broad plan’ for LA schools grows to more than charters only

By Michael Janofsky

| March 20, 2016

The goal is “replicating schools that are working well,” director says.

Schools commit to reducing suspensions, but parents don’t have the details

By Jane Meredith Adams

| March 17, 2016

California funding formula requires districts to include school climate as a priority.

Database of kindergarten vaccine rates from 2008-09 to 2015-16

Data Story

By John C. Osborn

| March 17, 2016

Check out our comprehensive database of vaccine data for about 9,000 kindergarten-level public, private and charter schools going back to the 2008-09 school year.

California charter schools set goal of 1 million students despite pushback

By Michael Janofsky

| March 16, 2016

If the goal is reached, it would almost double the number of students now attending charters.

California’s largest district faces fiscal uncertainty despite infusion of state funds

By Michael Janofsky

| March 15, 2016

Los Angeles Unified deficit could reach $600 million by 2019-2020.

Six Oakland schools receive $2.1 million in innovation grants

By Theresa Harrington

| March 15, 2016

Oakland is one of seven Next Generation Learning Challenge network regions.

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California moves to bring special education students ‘into the fold’ of mainstream education

By Jane Meredith Adams

| March 14, 2016

The state seeks to include students with disabilities in funding for high-needs students.

$Students at Westlake Middle School in Oakland work on scale ratios in their Common Core math class.$

Superintendents, but not teachers, give high grades to Common Core rollout

By John Fensterwald

| March 11, 2016

California teachers say they’re not getting enough quality training and materials.

New measurement credits colleges for students who only complete some courses

By Fermin Leal

| March 11, 2016

Community college students who fail to earn degrees and certificates or to transfer to four-year schools, but complete courses that help them earn higher salaries or job promotions will no longer be considered dropouts under a new measurement announced by the community college system. These students, called “Skills Builders,” will provide the state’s 113 community colleges with a new way to measure success, California…

Governor’s budget proposal may affect future of transitional kindergarten

By Susan Frey

| March 10, 2016

Districts could charge enrollment fees for families who aren’t low-income.

Proposed history-social science tests raise concerns about testing burden

By Louis Freedberg

| March 9, 2016

State superintendent is recommending new standardized tests for grades 4, 7 and high school.

State board gives green light to next phase of new science tests

By Michael Collier

| March 9, 2016

Assessments would be administered to students in Spring 2019.

State awards $245 million in career technical education grants

By Theresa Harrington

| March 9, 2016

A total of $900 million will be awarded over three years through the grant program.

Dozen districts offer free SAT to all juniors

By John Fensterwald

| March 8, 2016

Long Beach would like the SAT to replace the 11th-grade Smarter Balanced test.

Shadow a Student Challenge helps administrators understand kids

By Theresa Harrington

| March 7, 2016

The weeklong challenge was organized to build empathy and spur action and sharing.

District settles lawsuit, agrees to share parcel tax with charters

By John Fensterwald

| March 3, 2016

The California Charter Schools Association says other districts should do so, too.

Rising number of rejections raises fears that Long Beach is becoming ‘elite’ university

By Fermin Leal

| March 2, 2016

Some believe the trend is undermining the mission of a public university.

Debate emerges over state actions needed to ease teacher shortages

By Louis Freedberg

| March 1, 2016

An LAO report says Legislature should avoid “broad statewide policies.”

Renewed call to create statewide teacher database

By John Fensterwald

| February 29, 2016

The Legislative Analyst’s Office says a lack of data on teachers creates a policy vacuum.

Groups want early ed block grant pulled from this year’s state budget

By Susan Frey

| February 28, 2016

The budget proposal would consolidate preschool programs into one grant.

Appellate judges intensely question lawyers in Vergara case

By Larry Gordon

| February 25, 2016

Teacher tenure, layoff and firing statutes are at stake.

Madison Avenue advises schools on how to talk to parents about absenteeism

By Jane Meredith Adams

| February 24, 2016

California is working with the Ad Council to provide communication tips for schools.

Senators want to know more about how districts spend funding

By John Fensterwald

| February 24, 2016

Transition to new funding and accountability systems creates a vacuum for answers.

California students rank 5th in nation with higher AP test scores

By Fermin Leal

| February 24, 2016

Nearly a third scored high enough to potentially earn college credit.

Local Control Funding Formula Guide

By EdSource staff

| February 23, 2016

Everything you need to know about the Local Control Funding Formula in an easy-to-read format.

Oakland part of national project to boost student achievement

By Susan Frey

| February 23, 2016

Harvard University is coordinating the initiative that includes six cities. .

Report: State must adopt guidelines for parent engagement in schools

By Louis Freedberg

| February 22, 2016

Parent engagement is one of eight priorities in California’s school funding law.

Will California use chronic absenteeism as a new metric of school success?

By Jane Meredith Adams

| February 21, 2016

Advocates are pushing to make chronic absenteeism rates a measure of school success.

Ability to opt out uncertain in lawsuit requiring student data release

By Theresa Harrington

| February 18, 2016

The judge is allowing parent objections, but it’s unclear if those will block the release of data.

Small and mid-sized districts rely on partners to provide summer programs

By Susan Frey

| February 18, 2016

Summer programs can stem learning loss while students are out of school.

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Gov. Brown proposes competition to create new high school math course

By Matthew Blake

| February 17, 2016

The course would be aligned with CSU’s expectations for incoming freshmen.

New institute focused on educational opportunity opens in Berkeley

By Louis Freedberg

| February 17, 2016

It will take a “cradle to career” approach to improving education outcomes.

Districts’ leaders anticipate higher math scores this year

By Theresa Harrington

| February 16, 2016

Curriculum materials, teacher training and technology are expected to boost scores.

Scalia’s death likely to alter outcome in Friedrichs lawsuit

By John Fensterwald

| February 15, 2016

At stake is the ability of the CTA and public employee unions to charge mandatory fees.

Smarter Balanced tests mostly well-aligned to Common Core, studies find

By Theresa Harrington

| February 12, 2016

Smarter Balanced stacks up well compared to three other tests, reports show.

Report offers strategies to create successful community schools

By Susan Frey

| February 12, 2016

Social Justice Humanitas Academy in San Fernando Valley is considered a model community school.

Credentialing commission pursuing plan for new longer term teacher permit

By Louis Freedberg

| February 12, 2016

Substitutes filling in for teachers on leave would be able to stay longer.

No compromise reached; Governor opposes California school bond

By John Fensterwald

| February 12, 2016

A coalition of districts and developers have placed a $9 billion bond on the November ballot.

One way to improve kindergarten attendance: Take the school bus

By Jane Meredith Adams

| February 10, 2016

Some parents struggle with the logistics of getting children to school.

Nonprofit designs school index for low-income, minority parents

By John Fensterwald

| February 9, 2016

Great Schools provides clear information and tools for advocacy.

Obama’s budget gives $4 billion to K-12 computer science programs

By Michael Collier

| February 9, 2016

The funding would boost teacher training and build partnerships.

Early ed programs see funding increases in Obama’s budget

By Susan Frey

| February 9, 2016

President’s proposal invests in children from birth to age 5.

Credentialing commission considers slowing rotation of substitute teachers

By Louis Freedberg

| February 8, 2016

The proposal would lift the 30-day limit on substitute teachers’ classroom time.

Legislative Analyst endorses parental choice program

By John Fensterwald

| February 7, 2016

Any district could become a District of Choice, but few do.

Boost in Cal Grant funding aims to keep pace with growing rate of college-ready students

By Fermin Leal

| February 4, 2016

The state could help more than 20,000 additional students pay for college under Gov. Jerry Brown’s state budget proposal. The governor wants the state to invest $2.1 billion in 2016-17 in the Cal Grant Program, the nation’s largest state-funded college aid program. That’s $137 million more than last year, which will help up to 7 percent more incoming freshmen, transfer, and continuing college students. “The…

State to begin collecting data on students who are chronically absent

By Jane Meredith Adams

| February 4, 2016

The new federal education law requires the change.

State sends mixed messages on Smarter Balanced test participation

By Theresa Harrington

| February 3, 2016

Districts required to meet participation rates and tell parents they can opt out.

Putting California first in driving education reform

By Louis Freedberg

| February 3, 2016

The state has already adopted many of the reforms in the new federal law.

Legislators challenge Sacramento to tackle teacher shortage

By Louis Freedberg and John Fensterwald

| February 2, 2016

The bills would offer financial support and more training for aspiring teachers.

New federal law puts spotlight on English learners

By John Fensterwald

| February 1, 2016

California has a plan and timetable to meet the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

Districts won’t have to spend federal money on tutoring

By John Fensterwald

| February 1, 2016

The federal government grants a waiver from the last vestige of No Child Left Behind.

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