Commentary

October 21, 2019

LA Unified should release data on student academic growth to parents

Political arguments are getting in the way of sensible solutions.

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.

October 11, 2019

For better insights into California's new test results, look at achievement over time

Analytical tools that are available but not used can help schools better understand how to improve student performance.

October 9, 2019

What will it take to make headway on student achievement?

State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond says that key priorities, among other things, should be improving teacher preparedness and qualifications and building a more diverse teaching force in California.

Linda Darling-Hammond

October 7, 2019

California needs a master plan for early childhood

Advocates agree with governor's call for more planning before new early childhood funds are spent.

Patricia Lozano, Mayra E. Alvarez and Scott Moore

October 4, 2019

School start times should remain a local decision

Forcing schools to start later risks creating more problems for students and their families.

Nancy Albarrán and Chris Funk

September 19, 2019

California needs time to get ethnic studies curriculum right

The debate over whether ethnic studies is an appropriate and valuable course for high school students was settled long ago.

Linda Darling-Hammond

September 10, 2019

Governor’s postsecondary council has assets — and opportunities

Linking work experience and college preparation in high school helps students do better in college.

Anne Stanton

September 6, 2019

Q&A with Michael Kirst: Single rating for schools ‘just too simplistic’

Former State Board of Education president says that there is strong support in California for the California School Dashboard.

Louis Freedberg

September 5, 2019

California can be a model for teacher-led change

Pomona Unified is rethinking professional learning in light of California’s Local Control Funding Formula.

Barnett Berry, Joseph Bishop and Lori Nazareno

August 24, 2019

On reforming suspensions: a teacher’s plea to California’s lawmakers

Teachers need more support to help struggling students rather than bans that reduce their ability to manage their classrooms.

Jason Sanchez

August 13, 2019

We must disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline

Students who are suspended from school are less likely to graduate from high school and more likely to be arrested and incarcerated.

Nancy Skinner

August 9, 2019

State must provide school stability for foster youth

The state needs to take a more active role in translating policy reform into academic achievement for its youth in care.

Margaret Olmos, Jessica Maxwell and Vanessa Hernandez

August 6, 2019

Why we factor suspension rates into how we identify top schools for underserved students

Authors reject the notion that some students want to learn and some students don’t.

Matt Hammer and Alicia Gallegos-Fambrini

July 31, 2019

Recognizing regional costs in school funding formula is both equitable and affordable

Current formula hurts children from low-income families in high-cost regions.