School Reopenings

January 18, 2022

Stressed-out parents divided over going back to school amid surge

Some are most worried about schools shuttering again, fearful of remote learning, which caused emotional damage and learning loss for many.

Karen D'Souza

September 15, 2021

West Contra Costa Unified and Oakland Unified poised to be first Northern California districts to mandate student vaccinations

West Contra Costa and Oakland Unified will follow Culver City Unified, L.A. Unified in requiring students 12 and up to get vaccinated to attend in person.

Ali Tadayon

September 15, 2021

‘Pool testing’ to combat Covid on campus grows popular in California schools

Testing up to 25 asymptomatic students and staff together can save time and money in some scenarios, with minimal disruption to instruction.

Carolyn Jones

September 13, 2021

Legislature reaffirms quarantined students must be in independent study to be funded

Some changes in the independent study law may help districts, but a teacher shortage remains the biggest obstacle to providing instruction.

John Fensterwald

September 10, 2021

Independent study frustrates California parents who enrolled children

California has mandated that all school districts provide independent study as the only online learning option for students in grades K-12.

Betty Márquez Rosales

September 9, 2021

LA Unified becomes largest school district to mandate Covid vaccine for students

Los Angeles Unified on Thursday voted to mandate the Covid-19 vaccine for all students 12 and older, making it the largest school district to do so.

Betty Márquez Rosales

September 6, 2021

Changes for educating quarantined California students proposed by governor, Legislature 

State leaders recognize crisis some districts face but don't backtrack from applying independent study to students sidelined by delta variant.

John Fensterwald

September 3, 2021

Covid closes rural California schools as Delta variant spreads

At least five rural schools temporarily closed this week to stop Covid outbreaks from spreading. More are planning to close next week.

Diana Lambert

September 2, 2021

Substitute shortages so severe, some districts may have to temporarily close classrooms

California's already dire substitute shortage has become a crisis for some schools. Districts are responding by increasing salaries, asking parents for help.

Diana Lambert

August 27, 2021

Quarantines and teacher shortages: a double whammy for California districts

Independent study is now the only option for quarantined students; superintendents warn the regulations are too constraining.

John Fensterwald And Betty Márquez Rosales

August 26, 2021

What is independent study in California? | Quick Guide

Independent study is this year's at-home alternative to in-person instruction for parents worried about contracting Covid. How will it work?

John Fensterwald And Sydney Johnson

August 24, 2021

How California teachers are welcoming back English learners — with language and community

Some teachers are focused on giving students who are learning English as a second language lots of time to talk and write about their feelings.

Zaidee Stavely

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

August 18, 2021

What impact will the pandemic have on early literacy? 

Experts share insights on how parents and teachers can help kids — especially those who may be behind — learn to read as they go back to school.

Karen D'Souza

August 17, 2021

Pandemic prompts grief support in schools | Quick Guide

An ACLU survey in March found that more than 30% of students said they’d lost someone close to them over the past year.

Betty Márquez Rosales