Michael Kirst

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.

John Fensterwald

July 12, 2018

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos signs off: California's plan finally satisfies federal law

Approval for the state’s plan for the Every Student Succeeds Act comes one day after State Board of Education makes final fixes.

John Fensterwald

May 9, 2018

State Board of Education President Mike Kirst announces he'll retire — and reflects on changes he has led

He acknowledges that he couldn’t duplicate the special relationship advising a governor for 44 years.

John Fensterwald

April 13, 2018

California's plan for Every Student Succeeds Act heads to Betsy DeVos for approval

The state board is satisfied with compromises but will seek one waiver involving English learners.

John Fensterwald

March 14, 2018

State Board postpones vote on revising California's education plan to meet federal requirements

Big question for board members: Would the deal undermine the state's strategy for reforms?

John Fensterwald

February 15, 2018

Michael Kirst weighs another 4 years on state education board after Gov. Brown departs

The governor also renominated Patricia Rucker and Ting Sun to the state board.

John Fensterwald

January 30, 2018

Federal, state visions for improving schools collide in California

The Every Student Succeeds Act is a battleground for the latest dispute between Sacramento and Washington.

John Fensterwald

January 9, 2018

Gov. Brown proposes ambitious education agenda in his final state budget

Infusion of revenue for K-12 should enable him to finish paying for Local Control Funding Formula ahead of schedule.

John Fensterwald

December 27, 2017

Federal government finds flaws in California’s plan to improve lowest-performing schools

Is state board exercising flexibility or violating the Every Student Succeeds Act?

John Fensterwald

December 6, 2017

California School Dashboard provides opportunity for schools 'to turn data into action'

The dashboard moves California one step closer to completing a sweeping overhaul of public education aimed at better preparing students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Michael Kirst and Tom Torlakson