EXPLORE: Weekly PodcastCollege & CareersJanus vs. AFSCME

Tag: Tom Torlakson
June 7, 2018

Oakland and Inglewood among four financially distressed California districts seeking state relief

Districts are hoping the upcoming state budget will include financial relief such as deferred state loans, flat per-student payments, and flexibility to sell or lease surplus property.

Theresa Harrington
April 30, 2018

California schools getting a little greener as environmental education guidelines roll out

California's environmental standards are among the top in the nation, but implementation "is a big lift."

Carolyn Jones
April 29, 2018

Race for California state schools chief begins to attract major contributions

Major contributions went to independent expenditure committees supporting the candidates.

Louis Freedberg
April 25, 2018

What does California's superintendent of public instruction do? A quick guide

Periodically over the past century, state boards of education, governors and state superintendents have clashed over who should be setting education policy in California.

John Fensterwald
March 26, 2018

Federal help available to California schools struggling with wildfire costs

Funding is available for bus service for displaced students, staff overtime, air filters and other fire-related expenses.

Carolyn Jones
February 13, 2018

Understanding California education department's role in state's charter schools: A quick guide

The state charter schools division advises the state board on charter school issues and provides grants to schools.

George White
February 1, 2018

Unions give big to Thurmond, charter backers to Tuck in state superintendent campaign filing

The split in support echoes the expensive race for state superintendent four years ago.

John Fensterwald and Daniel J. Willis
January 28, 2018

More candidates for state superintendent raise odds of runoff in November

With five candidates in the race, it may be more difficult for one to win a majority in the primary.

John Fensterwald
December 27, 2017

Federal government finds flaws in California’s plan to improve lowest-performing schools

Is state board exercising flexibility or violating the Every Student Succeeds Act?

John Fensterwald
December 6, 2017

California School Dashboard provides opportunity for schools 'to turn data into action'

The dashboard moves California one step closer to completing a sweeping overhaul of public education aimed at better preparing students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Michael Kirst and Tom Torlakson
October 12, 2017

California joins trend among states to abandon high school exit exam

Exam suspended in 2015 no longer required for graduation, now that state has adopted new Common Core standards and school accountability metrics.

Theresa Harrington and Louis Freedberg
October 3, 2017

LA County Office admits it shouldn't have approved Long Beach's LCAP

County officials are now demanding districts do a better job of justifying spending for low-income students and English learners under the funding formula.

John Fensterwald
September 27, 2017

Average scores flat in 3rd year of California's Common Core-aligned tests

Search results for the 2016-17 Smarter Balanced assessments of math and English language arts by school or district and see three-year trendlines for the Common Core-aligned tests.

John Fensterwald
September 2, 2017

Lawmaker to request state audit of districts' compliance with funding formula

Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi says data will show if funding is really spent on English learners and low-income students.

John Fensterwald
April 28, 2017

Pilot science test underway in California, despite dispute with federal officials

Computer-based exam based on Next Generation Science Standards to be given through June.

Carolyn Jones