Tony Thurmond

January 7, 2022

High Covid rates, staff shortages and confusing legislation challenge schools' reopenings

School officials are struggling to keep schools open amid Covid outbreaks and staffing shortages. Conflicting messages from California state officials are making it even more difficult.

Diana Lambert, John Fensterwald, And Ali Tadayon

School Finance

November 5, 2021

State schools chief apologizes to private, parochial school leaders for mishandling federal Covid aid

California schools chief acknowledges "heartburn" and frustration, promises to free up $187 million, largely for urban parochial schools.

November 1, 2021

Fighting for the education of Black students in California

A Sacramento organization is suing the state, alleging officials knew about discriminatory disciplinary practices for years and did nothing.

September 22, 2021

State superintendent sets goal to get all California third graders reading by 2026

State officials eye legislation aimed at addressing the longstanding issue of struggling early readers.

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.

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.

April 7, 2021

Vaccines on tap for California’s children, but what do parents say?

Children may soon be eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations, potentially helping California schools to fully reopen for in-person instruction.

March 19, 2021

After 8 hours, 250-plus speakers, California board adopts ethnic studies model curriculum

The state board unanimously adopted voluntary guidance for ethnic studies with one addition, clarifying the role of “critical race theory.”

March 18, 2021

Schools chief uses influence to shape policy during pandemic, but lacks power to make big decisions

Thurmond felt pressured by county school superintendents to decree all campuses be closed after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency.

November 16, 2020

California schools chief Tony Thurmond: 'This is the time for an abundance of caution'

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond emphasizes safety as number one consideration in re-opening schools, and says that data will need to be monitored very carefully in the coming weeks to determine whether schools can open in January.

Louis Freedberg

Race and Equity

November 7, 2020

More changes proposed for California’s ethnic studies curriculum to strengthen ‘balance’

State schools chief adds lesson plans for Asian ethnic groups who felt left out and rewords sections to encourage multiple points of view.

John Fensterwald

October 30, 2020

Carl Cohn Podcast: State schools chief Thurmond says California should "use education to counter hate"

Carl speaks with California Superintendent of Education Tony Thurmond about the challenges of guiding the country's largest school system through the pandemic and his vision for the state's future.

EdSource staff

Commentary

October 29, 2020

Expanding social emotional learning so all students can benefit

Resources and funding can help districts provide more support for students during these challenging times.

Linda Darling-Hammond, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Tony Thurmond

State Education Policy

October 21, 2020

For first time, heads of all California’s public education systems are Black or Latino

A fundamental question is how much difference their backgrounds will make in moving forward on racial and equity challenges facing their institutions.