May 13, 2022

California Covid cases rising as school year ends with few renewed restrictions

Few districts are tightening up masking and other restrictions that were in place at the start of the year, even for large gatherings like graduations and proms.

Diana Lambert

April 5, 2022

What if Covid’s silver lining could be what we learn from the kids?

Amidst all the bad news about how the pandemic has affected children, teachers are seeing surprising positive changes in their students as well.

Thomas Courtney

April 5, 2022

California’s detailed test data gives it an advantage for the road ahead

A deeper dive into the Smarter Balanced test data reveals that the news is both better and worse than we previously realized.

David Wakelyn

March 21, 2022

A child development expert talks about parenting through the pandemic

It will be important to continue to monitor the generation of children born during the pandemic, experts say, to provide any extra help they might need.

Karen D'Souza

March 15, 2022

End of school mask mandate brings relief, lingering concerns

The end of California's mask mandate for schools Monday meant students and school staff no longer have to wear masks to school, but many still did.

Diana Lambert, Carolyn Jones, Ali Tadayon, Emma Gallegos, And Kate Sequeira

March 4, 2022

Severe driver shortage leaves some California kids waiting at the school bus stop

California has a shortage of teachers and other school staff, but school officials cite the lack of bus drivers as one of their biggest problems.

Diana Lambert

March 3, 2022

Geography, politics key factors in whether California districts will still require masking

Most school districts plan to follow the state’s recommendation and “strongly recommend” masks after March 12, although they will not require them.

Diana Lambert

February 28, 2022

California will not require masks in schools after March 11

California is recommending masking in schools instead of requiring it after March 11, according to updated health guidance released by the state.

Diana Lambert

February 17, 2022

Some California school districts are defying mask mandate

California districts, especially those in conservative areas of the state, are under pressure to allow students to attend school unmasked.

Diana Lambert

February 9, 2022

Failing to enforce California's Covid-19 vaccine mandate may put school districts in financial peril

Districts that defy California vaccine mandates, set to begin in July, could face fines, lose liability insurance coverage and some state funding.

Diana Lambert And Ali Tadayon

February 8, 2022

Lagging vaccinations for kids between ages 5 and 11 prove daunting for California schools

If much larger numbers of young California children are not vaccinated by next term, keeping so many of them out of school and in remote learning will be an educational and political impossibility.

Louis Freedberg

February 2, 2022

Children acted out more during distance learning, parents say, deepening learning loss

Children, who are creatures of habit, can be negatively influenced by any educational disruption, such as remote learning, experts say.

Karen D'Souza

January 31, 2022

What are the best masks for children to wear at school during the omicron surge? | Quick Guide

Due to the omicron variant's higher transmissibility, medical experts are recommending avoiding cloth masks and surgical masks in favor of higher-quality KN95 or KF94 masks.

Ali Tadayon

January 28, 2022

Strong school leaders will be essential in next phase of pandemic

As factors inside and outside the school walls have become more chaotic, it is now more challenging than ever for leaders to create and maintain a supportive environment.

Chris Minnich

January 28, 2022

Anxiety, stress remain top concerns for California students, survey finds

More than 1 in 5 California students said they'd missed more than three days of school due to poor mental health. The survey focused on the pandemic's effects.

Carolyn Jones