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Charter Schools

Charter schools are tuition-free, tax-funded public schools that have been given more flexibility and autonomy than district-operated schools. In California, most are run by nonprofit boards of directors. In the 2018-19 school year, California’s approximately 1,300 charter schools enrolled 652,933 students — serving a little more than 1 in 10 of California’s public school students.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
November 4, 2019

Oakland Unified moves forward with school closures despite protests

District officials offer to meet with protesters as Oakland and state teachers' unions echo demands for school closure moratorium until 2022.

Theresa Harrington
October 16, 2019

Four lessons I learned from California’s Hollister prep on closing learning gaps

Improving student learning requires both academic rigor and flexibility in working with students based on their individual needs.

Lauren Schwartze
October 4, 2019

Charter school reform in California: what state leaders had to say

Gov. Newsom, key legislators and charter school advocates and skeptics pledged to build on the collaboration that made compromise possible.

John Fensterwald
October 3, 2019

New era for charter schools: Newsom signs bill after intensive negotiations

For the first time, school districts will be able to consider a proposed charter school’s financial impact.

John Fensterwald
September 10, 2019

California’s charter schools soon to enter an uneasy era

School districts will be able to cite an adverse fiscal impact to deny a charter school application, but not without making a strong case.

John Fensterwald
September 4, 2019

Gov. Newsom, legislative leaders agree on certification for all charter school teachers

California charter school teachers may soon have to get the same background checks and credentials as teachers in regular public schools.

Diana Lambert
August 29, 2019

Governor, lawmakers agree on new controls on California charter schools

School districts could consider the need for a new charter school and its financial impact; charters will keep their right of appeal.

John Fensterwald
August 20, 2019

Amid tensions statewide, an embattled California charter school's quest ends badly

Promise Academy had a partnership with the Tech Museum; its fight with San Jose Unified mirrors conflicts statewide over charter schools.

John Fensterwald