September 8, 2021
Could a recall-elected Republican governor really shake up K-12 schools?
A supermajority in the Legislature would rein in a new governor, who'd also face long odds on the big prize: selling a voucher initiative next year.
EdSource stories tagged with:
Michael Kirst
June 4, 2021
California's K-12 funding formula likely to change, but disagreement over how
Gov. Newsom, legislative leaders agree to add $1.1 billion to the Local Control Funding Formula but not on who gets priority for the money.
John Fensterwald
September 11, 2020
Gov. Newsom names attorney for dual role as adviser, state education board executive director
Allen has been a civil rights lawyer and deputy education policy director. He’ll juggle two jobs serving both Newsom and the state board.
John Fensterwald
March 18, 2020
UC Regents should consider impact of college admissions tests on public schools
UC admissions requirements should align closely with California's K-12 curriculum standards.
Michael Kirst and Saul Geiser
October 9, 2019
Slow growth, big disparities after 5 years of Smarter Balanced tests
Average scores have been rising in English language arts, but dropping in math as students progress through middle and high school — a cause for worry.
John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis
September 6, 2019
Q&A with Michael Kirst: Single rating for schools ‘just too simplistic’
Former State Board of Education president says that there is strong support in California for the California School Dashboard.
Louis Freedberg
September 6, 2019
Debating the merits of ranking schools; finding funding to repair them
This week: We interview Michael Kirst, the former president of the State Board of Education, about why adopting a ranking system for district and charter schools can be arbitrary and unhelpful; and we also discuss the possibility of a state construction bond for K-12 and community college facilities on the March 2020 ballot.
EdSource staff
August 8, 2019
Smaller classes, more novice teachers: the 'tradeoff‘ for low-income California schools
A new study overcomes challenges from a lack of transparency to compare schools' spending under the Local Control Funding Formula.
John Fensterwald
January 11, 2019
Episode 89: Mike Kirst reflects on his years on the State Board of Education
This week, we play an excerpt of State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond's inaugural remarks, and our exit interview with Michael Kirst, who is stepping down as president of the State Board of Education.
EdSource staff
January 8, 2019
Michael Kirst's parting advice: more teacher and principal training is critical to success of local control
In an exit interview, retiring state board President Michael Kirst urges more attention to professional development for teachers and principals, discusses the need for more school funding, an expanded school database and a new agency focused on children's needs.
John Fensterwald
January 7, 2019
State board of education president, and governor’s ally, leaves mark on California education
Michael Kirst has helped lead the state through significant education reforms.
Dick Jung
December 17, 2018
Brown appointees to comprise majority on California's state board of education after Newsom takes office
Seven out of 11 board members will remain on the board after Jerry Brown leaves office.
Louis Freedberg
October 2, 2018
Small rise in California’s math and reading scores in 2018
There are signs of "encouragement" and "distress" in implementing the Common Core standards after four years of Smarter Balanced testing. There is also a dilemma: 11th-grade results.
John Fensterwald
September 30, 2018
Gov. Brown vetoes bill to let districts give SAT or ACT as 11th grade test
Dozens of districts are offering the tests at their own expense already, because scores on SAT and ACT, not Smarter Balanced, are what matters to high school juniors.
John Fensterwald
August 23, 2018
Renewed push to offer SAT and ACT as California's 11th-grade test
Superintendents say free college readiness testing for all would raise SAT/ACT scores and boost college admissions. Opponents say AB 1951 would undermine the usefulness of high school testing.