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Reforms
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Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools typically run by nonprofit organizations, and have more flexibility and autonomy than regular public schools. California has over 1,300 charter schools— serving a little more than 1 in 10 of California’s public school students. In 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom engineered major reforms of California’s 1992 charter school legislation — at the time the second of its kind in the nation. Those reforms are intended to bring more transparency and oversight of the charter school sector.

Commentary
October 26, 2021

Rebuilding community: Simpler than it sounds, harder than it looks

After the devastating emotional and mental toll of the pandemic, it is almost unthinkable to imagine asking students to learn to read, play an instrument, or solve algebra equations without first rebuilding a nurturing and safe environment.

Tony Solina
Commentary
May 28, 2021

Proposed law would disrupt the education of thousands of students

AB1316 would close numerous schools and displace thousands of students and families throughout California.

Michael Brajkovich
Los Angeles Unified
November 25, 2020

Los Angeles charter schools offered reprieve amid pandemic

Citing “unprecedented circumstances” related to Covid-19, L.A. Unified chose to renew four charter schools that otherwise met the criteria to be denied renewal under a new law.

Michael Burke
Commentary
October 11, 2020

State lawmakers hurt charter schools, online learning with funding deal

The budget for the new fiscal year froze funding for schools at their 2019-20 level, preventing additional state funding for growing schools with increased numbers of students in the fall.

Lance Izumi
Coronavirus
September 25, 2020

Waiting lists for home-school programs as parents grow weary of distance learning

Home-schooling programs have seen a surge of interest since campuses closed in March. Parents are looking for flexibility and control.

Diana Lambert
Charter Schools
August 10, 2020

Los Angeles is ground zero for the interpretation of California’s new charter schools law

Charter schools and district leaders in Los Angeles are at odds over a law giving districts more authority to reject charter schools.

Michael Burke
Charter Schools
July 29, 2020

California charter schools sue state for not funding additional students this year

School funding is based on last year’s student enrollments but that eliminates money for charter schools that already had planned to expand.

John Fensterwald
Commentary
July 13, 2020

7 things teachers can do to address student trauma – especially during distance learning

Trauma-informed approach to learning will make return to school more successful for students and teachers.

Caprice Young
Charter Schools
February 20, 2020

Michael Bloomberg has invested heavily in promoting charter schools in California

His backing of charter schools could have an impact on his drive for the Democratic nomination, especially if the race is not decided by the time of the convention.

Louis Freedberg
Federal Education Policy
February 5, 2020

Trump revives call for support of ’school choice’ agenda, despite certain rejection in Congress

Call for expanded tax credit program immediately rejected by top education legislator in House.

Louis Freedberg
School Choice
January 17, 2020

Closing a middle school and converting others to K-8 stirs opposition

The school board and others in West Contra Costa Unified did not approve a plan to convert six elementary schools into K-8 schools next year.

Theresa Harrington
Year in Review
January 3, 2020

Gavin Newsom's 1st-year K-12 scorecard: good grades on priorities and some incompletes

He forged a compromise to revise California's charter school law and gave districts unexpected help to pay employee pension obligations.

John Fensterwald
School Choice
November 26, 2019

Protesters file excessive force claim against Oakland Unified

Nine district parents and teachers say police injured them during an Oct. 23 board meeting where they were protesting school closures.

Theresa Harrington
Charter Schools
November 20, 2019

California Democratic Party says charter schools should have publicly elected boards

The approval of stronger language in the party platform comes as criticism of charter schools mounts among Democratic presidential candidates.

Louis Freedberg
School Choice
November 8, 2019

Oakland school board closes meeting to public, citing protests

No protesters showed up, prompting some critics to allege the board violated open meeting laws in its attempt to prevent disruptions.

Theresa Harrington