Topics Credentialing

March 12, 2020

The state should revise the reading instruction test for teachers

The RICA is outdated and discourages talented teachers, says long-time educator.

February 18, 2020

Gov. Newsom’s big bets: community schools, competitive grants and new teacher incentives

The governor proposes $1.5 billion over 5 years on incentives for new teachers and grants managed by a small agency to fix highest poverty schools.

February 12, 2020

How funds for Gov. Newsom's ambitious proposals for teacher recruitment and preparation will be spent

Budget proposes incentives, recruitment programs and training to fill needed teaching positions.

February 7, 2020

Less than a third of California students met or exceeded standards on new science test

The results are the first set of scores for a new test aligned with California’s new science standards.

January 23, 2020

California moves closer to eliminating, replacing reading instruction test that has blocked thousands from teaching credential

Debate rages on about how to measure a teacher candidate’s ability to teach reading.

January 10, 2020

Amid shortages, schools settle for underprepared special education teachers

The number of new special education teachers working without a full credential hit 5,196 in 2017-18 — the highest number in a decade.

January 8, 2020

California’s effort to turn school staff into teachers starts to pay off

More than 2,000 bus drivers, clerks, custodians and teacher aides are earning bachelor’s degrees and teaching credentials.

November 22, 2019

California is poised to confront high proportions of underqualified teachers in low-income schools

Uncredentialed teachers are concentrated where students struggle academically; the State Board may soon have data to support a teacher equity index.

November 8, 2019

California spending over $13 billion annually on special education

A new Legislative Analyst’s Office report is intended to provide a “high level review” for the Legislature as it considers overdue reforms.

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

September 4, 2019

Gov. Newsom, legislative leaders agree on certification for all charter school teachers

California charter school teachers may soon have to get the same background checks and credentials as teachers in regular public schools.

Diana Lambert

July 23, 2019

Plan to expose all students to physics missing one element — teachers

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.

Diana Lambert

May 23, 2019

California considers overhauling test of reading instruction for teachers in training

The test is outdated and there is no evidence that it contributes to more effective instruction.

Diana Lambert

May 17, 2019

Experienced teachers key in California districts that ‘beat the odds’

The Learning Policy Institute found that fully prepared teachers mattered more than overall spending and low teacher-student ratios in raising test scores.

John Fensterwald

May 13, 2019

Saving Stege: What will it take to redesign this struggling California school?

The West Contra Costa Unified School District has embarked on an 18-month plan to redesign a struggling East Bay school. Will it succeed?