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Common Core

Forty-three states, including California, have adopted the Common Core State Standards in math and English language arts. An initiative of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, Common Core defines knowledge and skills that students should master by the end of each grade to graduate from high school ready for success in college and a career. Students will be tested in Common Core starting in spring 2015.

February 18, 2019

California students may not be ready for new science test

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.

Diana Lambert
January 8, 2019

Michael Kirst's parting advice: more teacher and principal training is critical to success of local control

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.

John Fensterwald
November 14, 2018

New California coalition agrees on next steps to improve schools, student achievement

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.

John Fensterwald
September 17, 2018

Multifaceted reforms needed to reach California’s education goals, research project finds

Getting Down to Facts II finds strong support for education reforms but also obstacles to student achievement and a need for more funding.

John Fensterwald
September 17, 2018

Essential Guide to Getting Down to Facts II

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.

John Fensterwald, Daniel J. Willis, Yuxuan Xie, And Justin Allen
September 17, 2018

Ten years on, California is making progress but must do more for preK-12 education

Getting Down to Facts II research project scrutinized how California's schools are doing after a decade of policy changes.

Susanna Loeb
August 20, 2018

Fewer Californians than residents nationwide favor raising teacher pay

Strikes in low-paying states opened the public's eyes. In California, where teachers are among nation's highest paid – cost of living aside – Education Next's 2018 poll found more support for raising overall funding than teacher pay.

John Fensterwald
May 9, 2018

A closer look at California’s impressive educational performance

Recent reforms are translating into improved performance, says former state schools chief.

Bill Honig
May 7, 2018

New science test must be part of California's school accountability system

State must signal importance of science to accelerate implementation of new science standards.

Jill Grace and Vincent Stewart
April 6, 2018

Educator asks teachers to examine unconscious racial bias

Kate Gerson trains teachers to change their practices and to use standards-aligned curriculum materials to provide rigorous lessons to all students.

Theresa Harrington
March 28, 2018

New Teacher Center releases standards to support beginning teachers

Standards focus on equity and achievement gap, teacher retention and leadership, academic standards, coaching, and school climate.

Theresa Harrington
March 22, 2018

First time superintendent, in just his second year, faces demands to quickly improve student learning

Matthew Duffy said his primary goals are raising student achievement and reducing teacher turnover.

Theresa Harrington
March 4, 2018

Oakland schools balance improving student performance while making deep budget cuts​

Oakland Unified is one of 28 districts that could face state intervention if at least three student subgroups don't improve in the next two years.

Theresa Harrington
February 15, 2018

Jury is still out on personalized learning approaches taking hold in California and across the country, research finds

A RAND study found some personalized learning schools made gains, but it was difficult to determine which specific strategies worked and which didn't.

Theresa Harrington
February 15, 2018

More than a dozen California schools have received grants that foster innovative programs

More than a dozen schools in California have received Next Generation Learning Challenge Grants, including nine in Oakland.

Theresa Harrington