Featured Articles on EdSource

August 12, 2014

Rhee to step down as head of StudentsFirst

Michelle Rhee has announced that she will step down as head of StudentsFirst, the Sacramento-based national advocacy organization she founded four years ago after resigning as chancellor of the District of Columbia school district. She stated that she wants to devote more of her energies working with her husband, former basketball star and current Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson.

Louis Freedberg

August 12, 2014

Grant helps low-income students pay test fees

California has received a $10.7 million federal grant to help offset the cost of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams for low-income students. The grant funding allows qualifying low-income students to pay just $5 to take AP or IB exams, which could earn them college credit.

Michelle Maitre

August 12, 2014

Low turnout expected in LA school election

An unusual runoff election with what is expected to be an extremely low voter turnout is taking place today, with potentially far-reaching implications for education in the state's largest school district, Los Angeles Unified. The election is being held to fill the seat left by the death of longtime member Marguerite Poindexter Lamotte last December.

Louis Freedberg

August 7, 2014

Task force urges remake of civics education

In a report released this week, a state task force called for a revival of civics education, transforming it from “an afterthought” – an undervalued social studies class – to a core element of community engagement and learning in all grades. The California Task Force on K-12 Civic Learning issued its final report this week.

John Fensterwald

August 5, 2014

A boost for students 'so close' to UC, CSU

Surprised by data showing that thousands of high school students are just one or two courses shy of meeting state university admissions requirements, the University of California has launched a summer program to help students make up the courses they’re missing and put them on a solid footing for college.

Michelle Maitre

August 5, 2014

Backers push to put school bond on ballot

Despite widespread bipartisan support from state legislators and school districts, Gov. Jerry Brown is remaining mum on whether he supports a bill that would put a multi-billion-dollar school construction bond on the ballot in November. Backers of the bill hope to strike a deal with Brown within the next two weeks.

John Fensterwald

August 3, 2014

Freedom Schools build readers and leaders

The Freedom Schools summer camp in South Los Angeles is part of a national summer program that helps low-income African-American and Latino students build their literacy skills, understand their history, and become leaders in their schools and communities. The schools are modeled after programs founded during the Civil Rights Movement.

Susan Frey

July 31, 2014

Importance of talking to infants now on TV

The message that it’s critically important to later learning for parents and caregivers to speak, sing and read to young children has hit prime time. Two popular TV shows, Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black” and ABC’s “The Fosters,” have recently featured characters talking about the cognitive gains that come from talking to children.

Lillian Mongeau

July 30, 2014

Program helps students chart their future

A summer program helps San Francisco high school students get back on track academically – and gives them an introduction to higher education and jobs. “What I took from this program is confidence,” one student said. “If you really want something, there should be no reason you can’t go out and get it.”

Michelle Maitre

July 29, 2014

Bilingual education could make a comeback

After nearly two decades, bilingual education in California could be about to stage a resurgence. Since the passage of Proposition 227 in 1998, it has been illegal to teach public school children in a language other than English without express permission from their parents, among other requirements. That could be about to change.

Lillian Mongeau

July 29, 2014

Superintendents surveyed about suspensions

Superintendents say teachers are the group most likely to object to policies that would reduce student suspensions, according to a new national survey on school discipline released Monday by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the nonprofit advocacy group the Children’s Defense Fund.

Jane Meredith Adams

July 28, 2014

Report says new teachers face 'bumpy path'

A new report concludes that California’s mentoring program for novice teachers, once a national model, has deteriorated due to lack of funding and district commitment, and provides little help for the many new teachers who enter the profession as permanent substitutes or temporary hires.

John Fensterwald

July 27, 2014

Why public education needs teachers unions

Gary Ravani

July 27, 2014

UCLA summer program supports foster youth

Instability -- multiple homes and multiple schools -- is one of the biggest obstacles to academic success for foster children. But about two dozen high school students in foster care in Southern California are benefiting from one constant in their lives: a program each summer at UCLA aimed at keeping them on track academically and preparing them for college.

Susan Frey

July 24, 2014

Feds back English learner lawsuit against state

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California has found an ally in the U.S. Department of Justice for its lawsuit charging that the state abdicated its obligation to ensure all students classified as English learners get extra instructional services to become fluent in English.

John Fensterwald