Sue Burr

February 1, 2022

The late state Sen. Gary Hart's legacy looms large on California education

Former state Sen. Gary Hart, who died last week at 78, authored bills allowing charter schools in California, creating a statewide student assessment and a minimum school year.

July 31, 2019

Remembering Glen Thomas, who helped shape California's academic standards

The former state secretary of education shepherded academic standards into adoption and bolstered county offices’ role in state policy.

April 8, 2018

To compromise or not: State education board to vote on California’s amended plan for meeting federal law

The state could still seek waivers from changes that board members don’t like — but only after a plan is submitted.

November 8, 2017

State board alters criteria for rating school performance on new state dashboard

State assumed more districts' scores would grow, and they didn't. That created a problem; designating fewer districts in the 'red' is part of the fix.

May 10, 2017

State education officials call for clearer directives to close achievement gaps

The staff of the State Board of Education will revise the plan for complying with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

May 11, 2016

State board adds school climate, college and career readiness to potential list of metrics

College and career readiness indicators may also make the first cut.

March 11, 2016

Superintendents, but not teachers, give high grades to Common Core rollout

California teachers say they're not getting enough quality training and materials.

February 24, 2016

Senators want to know more about how districts spend funding

Transition to new funding and accountability systems creates a vacuum for answers.

January 13, 2016

Education board moves to assert state's role in school accountability

California officials are requesting maximum flexibility under the new federal law.

September 15, 2015

Test scores to be only one factor in measuring school progress

State board considers other measures of student engagement and achievement.

August 6, 2015

Carl Cohn to direct new school improvement agency

The new collaborative sees itself as a helping, not heavy, hand with districts.

April 13, 2015

New agency to support schools still taking shape

California Collaborative stresses fresh start

Louis Freedberg And John Fensterwald

Local Control Funding Formula

March 1, 2015

Moving beyond a single measure of a school

The state board envisions a very different system post-Academic Performance Index.

January 8, 2015

Digital Library's use, usefulness questioned

Midway through the school year, about half the state’s teachers have access to a new "Digital Library" the state purchased to help them teach the Common Core State Standards, but it’s unclear how many teachers are actually using it and how useful it is.

John Fensterwald