Tony Thurmond

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

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.

Louis Freedberg

Digital Divide

October 15, 2020

Up to 1 million California students may still lack connectivity during distance learning

State leaders struggle to pinpoint how many students remain unconnected, and fear widening inequality as distance learning continues.

Sydney Johnson

State Education Policy

September 22, 2020

California schools chief’s 'end hate' initiative prompts contrast with President Trump

State Supt. Tony Thurmond’s anti-racism effort involving Simon Wiesenthal Center and others would stress teaching tolerance amid rising incidents of hate.