Policy and Legislation

April 28, 2022

A former judge leads plan to overhaul California’s juvenile justice system

Judge Katherine Lucero is leading California’s massive transformation of its juvenile justice system by June 2023. In this Q&A, Lucero provides insight into how she plans to lead the shift.

Betty Márquez Rosales

April 6, 2022

Bills to aid community college adjuncts advance in California Assembly

A pair of bills aimed at giving California's part-time community college instructors something approaching equity with their full-time peers won easy approval in an Assembly committee, but their ultimate fate remains uncertain.

Thomas Peele

March 31, 2022

State literacy task force echoes call for more reading coaches, specialists

State education leaders put their support behind Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposal to pay for literacy coaches and specialists at schools with low reading scores.

Ali Tadayon

January 5, 2022

New effort aims to count all California homeless students | Quick Guide

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 27 into law recently after researchers estimated the number of homeless students in California has increased during the pandemic.

Betty Márquez Rosales

October 8, 2021

California becomes first state to require ethnic studies in high school

One year after he vetoed legislation, Gov. Newsom signs bill, also releasing $50 million for districts to create ethnic studies curricula.

John Fensterwald

October 8, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs $123.9 billion package to support K-12 education

The 22-bill package will increase broadband infrastructure, develop mental and behavioral health support and add a new ethnic studies high school graduation requirement.

Betty Márquez Rosales

September 22, 2021

State superintendent sets goal to get all California third graders reading by 2026

State officials eye legislation aimed at addressing the longstanding issue of struggling early readers.

Ali Tadayon

September 10, 2021

California schools to get help identifying homeless students if governor signs bill

Legislators say the need is urgent as researchers estimate the number of homeless students in California has increased during the pandemic.

Betty Márquez Rosales

August 18, 2021

Culver City Unified mandates Covid vaccine for students, possibly a first for California

The district is giving students and staff until Nov. 19. Students who don't meet that date will need to enroll in independent study.

Diana Lambert And Ali Tadayon

June 3, 2021

Budget proposal would ease testing requirements for California teachers

California's legislators recommend approving a budget proposal that would reduce the number of tests required to earn a teaching credential.

Diana Lambert

June 2, 2021

Senate and Assembly cut, then add, billions to Gov. Newsom's budget for K-12

Budget committees' joint plan prioritizes school districts' financial health over more one-time funding. Next step: Talks with Newsom

John Fensterwald

April 6, 2021

Gov. Newsom expects full in-person fall return to school after state scraps color-coded tiers

State officials plan to retire the “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” color-coded tier system on June 15, and said they expect full-time in-person instruction in the fall.

Ali Tadayon And John Fensterwald

March 17, 2021

California lawmakers push agency to better protect students at for-profit colleges

At issue is the future of the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, which regulates for-profit colleges in California

Thomas Peele

March 12, 2021

California agency that oversees for-profit colleges to face critics

The agency that regulates California’s 1800 for-profit colleges needs reauthorization from the Legislature to keep operating. Lawmakers say they want it to do a better job protecting the 260,000 students at for-profit schools.

Thomas Peele

March 4, 2021

California Legislature approves plan to encourage schools to reopen for in-person instruction

The bill provides $2 billion in incentives for schools to reopen for special needs and other students, beginning with the earliest grades.

Carolyn Jones And Louis Freedberg