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Reforms
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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. As of the fall of 2016, California’s 1,254 charter schools enrolled 602,837 students — for the first time serving 1 in 10 of California’s public school students.
May 29, 2019

Unchecked, decades-long experiment with charter schools yields unintended consequences

Elected leaders in Sacramento must pass laws to support students by curtailing growth of charter schools, teacher says.

Erika Jones
May 16, 2019

Gov. Newsom proposes tighter rules on charter school enrollment

Critics complain some California charter schools screen out students with disabilities and academically struggling students.

John Fensterwald
May 15, 2019

‘Inconvenient truths’ missing from Oakland report on charter schools

Charter schools did not cause Oakland’s problems and preventing more students from choosing charter schools will not fix them, researchers say.

Robin Lake and Ashley Jochim
May 15, 2019

Jackie Goldberg wins L.A. Unified school board seat in special election

Veteran lawmaker and activist Jackie Goldberg returns to the LAUSD school board after a decisive win.

Michael Burke
May 13, 2019

Runoff election for Los Angeles school board has long-term implications for future of California's largest district 

A win for Jackie Goldberg would create a more union-friendly board and an uncertain future for charter schools. Heather Repenning says she occupies middle ground between the teachers’ union and the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA).

Michael Burke
May 8, 2019

Oakland Unified offers critical view of charter schools to state task force

Oakland report on charter schools provides one of the most detailed portraits of their impact on a large urban district.

Louis Freedberg And Theresa Harrington
May 1, 2019

After years of avoidance, time to take on challenges posed by California charter schools

Early backer of charter law says no easy answers to issues raised by charter school expansion in the state.

Carl Cohn
April 27, 2019

Statewide survey: most Californians support teacher strikes for higher pay

Public Policy Institute asked about some of the most hotly debated issues in its annual Californians and Education statewide survey.

Diana Lambert
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
April 11, 2019

Efforts to restrict charter school growth in California inch forward in state Legislature

The Assembly Education Committee chaired by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, a former high school teacher, approved legislation that, among other things, would place a cap on charter schools in the state to approximately their current levels and deny the State Board of Education the ability to approve a charter application after being denied by a school district or county office of education.

Louis Freedberg
March 28, 2019

California’s K-12 enrollment drops again, charter schools see increase

State releases enrollment data for 2018-19, revealing five-year trends that show an increase in Latino students, but a decrease in English learners.

Theresa Harrington
March 20, 2019

A cap on charters would only cap family choices

Don't ignore the powerful impact charter schools have on student's lives, former student says.

Michael Phillips
March 14, 2019

Charter school supporters unveil battle strategy against push to restrict growth in California

The California Charter Schools Association takes aim at the California Teachers Association.

Diana Lambert
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
March 5, 2019

Gov. Newsom signs legislation requiring charter school transparency in California

Both the California Teachers Association and the California Charter Schools Association, which have been waging a high-profile battle over charter schools, were represented at signing event in the Capitol. The bill became law only two weeks after it was first heard in committee in the State Capitol.

Louis Freedberg And Diana Lambert