San Diego Unified School District

August 3, 2020

Los Angeles Unified reaches deal with teachers over distance learning while other districts struggle to finalize plans

As L.A. Unified finalized its distance learning plans, Oakland Unified and other districts were still negotiating with their teachers.

June 5, 2020

Summer school may be another pandemic victim in some districts

Researchers found 61 of 100 districts nationwide plan to offer summer school, but many are not expanding programs or trying new things.

June 1, 2020

California school districts forced to move to virtual recruiting — and it’s working

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, district officials had to find a new way to recruit and hire teacher candidates.

May 29, 2020

To reopen safely and responsibly, schools need their afterschool partners

Expanded learning programs provide essential support and child care to families throughout the state.

April 3, 2020

First few weeks of remote teaching is learning experience for teachers and students

California teachers have had to be creative to keep students learning after campuses shut down in March.

October 30, 2019

Reading scores drop in California, most states in much-watched national test

Nationwide scores on NAEP stalled for a decade in 4th and 8th grade while California's slowly rose – latest dip in 8th grade reading notwithstanding

John Fensterwald And Daniel J. Willis

July 2, 2019

How school districts can use limited resources strategically to enhance student success

Fresno Unified and San Diego Unified case studies show how districts can effectively target resources.

Joe McKown and Christina Baumgardner

July 1, 2019

Budget realities challenging California school districts’ restorative justice programs

As districts have worked to reduce suspensions and expulsions, they’ve increasingly turned to restorative justice as an alternative.

May 8, 2019

Oakland Unified offers critical view of charter schools to state task force

Oakland report on charter schools provides one of the most detailed portraits of their impact on a large urban district.

Louis Freedberg And Theresa Harrington

May 1, 2019

After years of avoidance, time to take on challenges posed by California charter schools

Early backer of charter law says no easy answers to issues raised by charter school expansion in the state.

September 26, 2018

Under local pressure, California school districts adopt lower lead limits for water

Oakland, San Diego and Berkeley Unified are among the districts that have adopted lower limits for lead in water than the state law.

Nico Savidge And Daniel J. Willis

May 15, 2018

Resources often don't match rhetoric for restorative justice in California schools

While awareness of restorative justice is high among school officials statewide, budgets for programs remain tiny in most school districts.

May 13, 2018

The rise of restorative justice in California schools brings promise, controversy

Many tout the practice as a groundbreaking alternative to zero-tolerance policies and a way to alleviate discipline disparities, while some say it's being oversold as a quick fix.

David Washburn And Daniel J. Willis

Discipline

July 24, 2016

Experts say schools must do more to address early signs of sexual harassment

Unwanted sexual comments and jokes are against the law at schools, but enforcement has been minimal.

July 7, 2014

School funding reforms spur decisions at local level

California’s new school funding system is driving districts in diverse regions of the state to shift their resources to achieve one of the key goals laid out in the sweeping financial reform effort – graduating students so they are ready for college or careers.