Public Counsel

February 23, 2024

Temecula Valley Unified can continue enforcing transgender policy, CRT ban, for now

The Temecula Valley Unified School District will be allowed to enforce its transgender notification policy and ban on Critical Race Theory as litigation moves forward.

February 8, 2024

Parents sued California. Now money for learning loss will go to students who need it most

Listen to Maria O., one of the parents who sued the state of California over unequal educational opportunities provided during the pandemic.

February 1, 2024

California agrees to target the most struggling students to settle learning-loss lawsuit

Billions in state funding for learning recovery would reach students most affected by the pandemic, under tighter rules, in a deal to end Cayla J. v. California.

August 22, 2023

The case of Cayla J: Judge to decide if California failed low-income students during Covid

Lawsuit filed in late 2020 charges California education leaders failed to protect Black, Latino and low-income children from disproportionate and enduring impacts of the pandemic.

August 18, 2023

California Ed Department backs down on punishing education researchers who testify against it

Facing withering criticism, the California Department of Education eliminated a clause in research agreements that banned researchers from testifying in lawsuits against it, as a condition to getting access to non-public data.

John Fensterwald

Policy & Finance

August 7, 2023

Critics pan state's justification for threatening Stanford education professor over breach of data contract

The California Department of Education argues researchers who sign a data contract work "for or on behalf of CDE"; critics say strong-arming researchers violates their constitutional rights.

John Fensterwald

Curriculum

August 2, 2023

Temecula Valley Unified CRT ban has created a hostile school environment, lawsuit says

A ban on the teaching of critical race theory is censoring teachers and taking away students' rights to an education, according to a lawsuit filed against Temecula Valley Unified Wednesday.

Diana Lambert

Policy & Finance

July 28, 2023

California moves to silence Stanford researchers who got state data to study education issues

At issue is whether researchers can analyze nonpublic California student data and also testify against the state in related and even unrelated cases.

John Fensterwald

High-needs students

June 13, 2023

Final settlement lands in seclusion-and-restraint lawsuit at Concord school

Monitoring, staff training part of agreement between plaintiffs and Contra Costa County Office of Education.

Carolyn Jones

State Education Policy

December 9, 2022

Lawsuit asserts California districts illegally charge summer school fees

The lawsuit by Public Counsel said that for-fee courses offered by district-affiliated foundations violate students' constitutional right to a free education.

John Fensterwald

Discipline

October 1, 2021

Anticipating an increase in student misbehavior, California releases new discipline guidelines

Fewer suspensions, more counseling for students should be the focus for schools, state advises in new discipline guidelines.

Carolyn Jones

Covid-19

May 10, 2021

Students, community organizations ask judge to order mental health services, internet access

The lawsuit argues top education officials must monitor districts to see that billions in Covid relief address students' pressing needs.

John Fensterwald

Podcast

December 3, 2020

California lawsuit charges 'inequitable' distance learning; Chancellor Tim White's exit interview

An attorney suing the state explains why distance learning is violating Black and Latino students' constitutional rights; departing CSU Chancellor Tim White looks back and ahead.