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Commentary

Commentaries published in this section and on EdSource more generally represent the opinions of the authors, who in turn are reflective of EdSource’s broad audience. As an independent, non-partisan organization, EdSource does not take a position on legislation or policy. We welcome guest commentaries representing diverse points of view. If you would like to submit a commentary, please review our commentary guidelines, and contact us.
Commentary
October 14, 2021

To help homeless students, embed community services into campus life

Schools and community-based organizations seeking to support students experiencing homelessness must step outside their silos, into students' lives and directly onto their public-school campuses.

Jennifer Friend and Sean Boulton
Commentary
October 12, 2021

Rethinking how we 'care' for struggling students

Academic support like tutoring is too often divorced from wellness initiatives. But easing up academically on struggling students does them no favors; they need both emotional and academic support.

Andrew Simmons
Commentary
October 10, 2021

You can't have meaningful civic engagement without social and emotional skills

Young people need role models. That means that educators, families, and policymakers must show what it looks like to have empathy, to solve problems collaboratively, and to insist on perspective-taking.

Karen Niemi
Commentary
October 7, 2021

Equity in learning starts with equity for community college teachers

The majority of community college faculty are limited to working part time, often commuting from one district to another. A bill before the governor would allow colleges to increase the number of hours part-time faculty can work in a single district.

John Martin
Commentary
October 6, 2021

Twenty years after 9/11, Muslim students still need our help

Muslim students are bullied and harassed at twice the national rate of other students, but each adult mentor — including teachers, coaches and even employers — can make a significant difference in their lives.

Kevin Singer
Commentary
October 5, 2021

California’s new reading goal is achievable, but it needs to be more meaningful

The state has taken great care to develop standards and exams in line with the expectations of colleges and employers. Now is the moment for policymakers to ensure their education goals match the state’s economic development needs.

David Wakelyn
State Education Policy
October 4, 2021

How California's commitment to safety is leading us out of the pandemic

The history of pandemics illustrates the importance of continued vigilance.

Linda Darling-Hammond
Commentary
October 1, 2021

Want quality child care? Pay and train workers like the pros they are

The key to increasing access to quality child care is professionalizing the field by providing child care staff a livable wage and professional development grounded in emotional competence.

Donna Housman
State Education Policy
September 30, 2021

Classified school employees should have the same job protections as teachers and administrators

Unlike certificated staff, classified employees, including cafeteria and custodial staff and school bus drivers, can be laid off any time of the school year with only a 60-day notice.

Matthew “Shane” Dishman
Commentary
September 29, 2021

Educators must prepare for new wave of refugees. Let’s do it better this time. 

As Afghan children arrive in California schools, teachers must help students make sense of the refugees' dramatic and heartbreaking exodus from their homeland.

Tuyen Tran
Commentary
September 29, 2021

To ensure safe schools for all, we need statewide cleaning standards

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of keeping school facilities clean and well-maintained.

Max Arias
Commentary
September 26, 2021

Healthy Kids Survey data belong on the California School Dashboard

We cannot talk about post-pandemic change in schools without considering the views of the families and students we serve.

Thomas Courtney
Commentary
September 23, 2021

Online education is here to stay for colleges and universities: How can we make it better?

Experiences during the pandemic provide the knowledge to start building the kind of inclusive, high-quality online instruction that faculty can really get behind.

Faith Kirk
Commentary
September 21, 2021

Lessons from Oakland’s move to police-free schools

The story of Oakland’s efforts to eliminate school policing highlights four important lessons about what it truly takes to stop the criminalization of young people and their families. 

Jasmine Williams
Commentary
September 20, 2021

Pell Grant students are doing all they can; they deserve our support.

If Congress beefed up the yearly Pell Grant award, UC students would be able to use more of their financial aid to cover additional basic living expenses and reduce their housing and food insecurity, while borrowing less.

Shawn Brick