Instructional Quality Commission

May 7, 2025

California needs high-quality instructional materials to support teachers, boost math learning

New poll shows California educators trail other states in access to curriculum and other tools that are aligned to best practices for teaching math.

Ma Bernadette Andres-Salgarino

Race and Equity

November 7, 2020

More changes proposed for California’s ethnic studies curriculum to strengthen ‘balance’

State schools chief adds lesson plans for Asian ethnic groups who felt left out and rewords sections to encourage multiple points of view.

September 19, 2019

California needs time to get ethnic studies curriculum right

The debate over whether ethnic studies is an appropriate and valuable course for high school students was settled long ago.

August 15, 2019

Criticism of draft curriculum for ethnic studies in California intensifies

State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond join those calling for a major revision.

May 6, 2019

Conservative religious groups targeting California’s sex education guidance

With the State Board of Education set to vote on new teaching guidelines, groups have launched an aggressive effort to remove recommendations focused on LGBTQ inclusiveness and others they deem too explicit for young students.

David Washburn

State Education Policy

November 9, 2017

After hours of testimony, California state board rejects two history textbooks, approves 10 others

Following the longest public comment session in board history, board rejects two Houghton Mifflin Harcourt texts, agreeing with advisory commission.

Theresa Harrington

State Education Policy

November 6, 2017

California state board asked to reject textbooks that fall short on LGBT contributions

Two K-8 texts by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt did not comply with state's History Social Science Framework, according to Instructional Quality Commission.