Getting Down To Facts

October 7, 2019

$15 billion California school bond headed for March ballot with Newsom’s signature

Higher ed to get $6 billion and K-12 schools $9 billion, with most dollars earmarked for renovations; low-wealth, low-income districts would be favored.

John Fensterwald

June 20, 2019

$13 billion state bond for school construction targeted for 2020 California ballot

The author of the bill, Patrick O'Donnell, says he is open to examining the fairness of the school modernization program's funding.

John Fensterwald

May 3, 2019

First on new California state superintendent’s long agenda: getting more men of color in the classroom

Tony Thurmond is creating work groups to focus on critical education issues while building a relationship with Gavin Newsom and building confidence in a state education department that’s been understaffed and underfunded.

John Fensterwald

March 21, 2019

New data detail soaring costs of California school pensions

Districts’ average payments to pension funds CalSTRS and CalPERS doubled to about $1,000 per student in 2017-18. But contributions varied among districts and will continue to rise for at least two more years.

John Fensterwald

February 21, 2019

Support, strengthen education reforms in California, new report urges

Learning Policy Institute says schools need more funding, teachers need more support and the public needs more help understanding where the money goes.

John Fensterwald

January 27, 2019

Gov. Newsom proposes to chip away at mountain of pension liability and ease school districts' burden

The state will absorb $700 million of school districts' additional payments to CalSTRS for the final two years of the higher payments required to restore the pension fund's financial health.

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

October 11, 2018

California Department of Education limited in ability to help districts improve, report says

Louis Freedberg And John Fensterwald

September 17, 2018

Multifaceted reforms needed to reach California’s education goals, research project finds

Getting Down to Facts II finds strong support for education reforms but also obstacles to student achievement and a need for more funding.

John Fensterwald