Tony Thurmond

May 3, 2019

First on new California state superintendent’s long agenda: getting more men of color in the classroom

Tony Thurmond is creating work groups to focus on critical education issues while building a relationship with Gavin Newsom and building confidence in a state education department that’s been understaffed and underfunded.

John Fensterwald

April 19, 2019

Outside public view, panel faces tight deadline to recommend reforms of California's charter school law

The Charter Task Force is taking on one of the most heated education reform issues in the state and is shooting to come up with recommendations to send to Gov. Newsom by July 1.

Louis Freedberg

March 8, 2019

California governor's new task force on charter schools convenes

The task force will examine the financial impact of charter schools and report back to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

John Fensterwald

January 30, 2019

LA Unified, teachers still face challenges over contract and charter school moratorium

L.A. Unified's school board and UTLA have ratified a contract, but L.A. County Superintendent Debra Duardo is skeptical the district can pay for its promises, and the Legislature may not agree to a charter school moratorium.

John Fensterwald

January 7, 2019

Tony Thurmond sworn in as California's new superintendent of public instruction

He becomes the second African-American state schools superintendent in California history.

Louis Freedberg

January 1, 2019

California education issues to watch in 2019 — and predictions of what will happen

Place your bets: curbs on charter schools, passage of universal preschool, more money for K-12, more teacher strikes and the resignation of Betsy DeVos; an untested governor and volatile president may affect the odds.

John Fensterwald, Yuxuan Xie, And Justin Allen

December 9, 2018

Final count shows Thurmond winner of California schools chief race by 187,000 votes

Over 4.5 million more Californians cast a vote for state superintendent for public instruction in mid-term elections than did in 2014, the last time the position was on the ballot.

Louis Freedberg

December 4, 2018

New push underway to expand preschool for low-income children in California

Assemblyman Kevin McCarty introduced three bills this week, one to expand spaces for public preschool for low-income 4-year-olds, one to improve preschool facilities and one to increase reimbursement for preschool programs.

Zaidee Stavely

November 21, 2018

Tony Thurmond names second in command at California Department of Education

Lupita Cortez Alcalá, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, will return to the state's department of education where she held key positions for a dozen years.

John Fensterwald

November 19, 2018

'Blue wave' helps push Thurmond to victory in California schools chief race

Outcome of race a major victory for California Teachers Association and allies, and a major defeat for leading charter school advocates.

Louis Freedberg

November 17, 2018

Thurmond wins race for California state superintendent of public instruction

Thurmond has 50.8 percent of the vote, compared to Tucks’ 49.2 percent.

Louis Freedberg And John Fensterwald

November 13, 2018

Thurmond widens lead over Tuck in race for California schools chief

Thurmond erases 86,000 vote lead by Tuck on Election Day and now has a 75,000 vote lead based on partial count of millions of mail-in and other uncounted ballots.