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Forty-one states, including California, have adopted the Common Core State Standards in math and English language arts. The standards describe the knowledge and skills that students should master by the end of each grade to graduate from high school ready for success in college and the workplace. Major ongoing issues are whether teachers are adequately prepared to teach based on the standards in all schools and districts throughout the state, whether they have adequate curriculum materials aligned with the standards, and whether students, especially English learners and special ed students, are adequately prepared to take the new assessments.
California has put on hold most aspects of its school accountability system. Learn more about how the state is handling accountability during the coronavirus pandemic.
Average scores have been rising in English language arts, but dropping in math as students progress through middle and high school — a cause for worry.
As California schools move to implement new science standards, there will be an increased demand for teachers in a subject area where there is already a severe shortage.
Learning Policy Institute says schools need more funding, teachers need more support and the public needs more help understanding where the money goes.
Although students will begin taking the California Science Test in March, most school districts have yet to approve textbooks or materials aligned to the new standards adopted six years ago by the State Board of Education. Still, federal law is requiring California to begin testing this year.
In an exit interview, retiring state board President Michael Kirst urges more attention to professional development for teachers and principals, discusses the need for more school funding, an expanded school database and a new agency focused on children's needs.
The Alliance for Continuous Improvement releases a "GPS" guide that calls for improving on sweeping changes already in place: new education standards, a more equitable funding system and higher expectations for student success.
There are signs of "encouragement" and "distress" in implementing the Common Core standards after four years of Smarter Balanced testing. There is also a dilemma: 11th-grade results.
Here are the take-aways from the studies on special education, funding needs, a teacher shortage, a data deficit, student mental health local control's unmet potential – and more.