Topic

Curriculum

In addition to our in-depth coverage of education policy, EdSource works hard to keep you informed about what is going on in the classroom. Our reporting on science, math and literacy as well as our ongoing coverage on deeper learning and expanded learning can be found here. We also keep a close eye on the evolving nature of student testing and school accountability.

May 26, 2019

Don’t use the SAT or ACT to undermine education accountability

College admissions tests rank students on a curve rather than measuring how well they are meeting state standards and are weaker predictors of college performance than high-school grades.

Pamela Burdman and Christopher Edley, Jr.

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The test is outdated and there is no evidence that it contributes to more effective instruction.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 14, 2019

State budget proposal would fund computer science coordinator, broadband expansion

Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing $15 million to expand broadband internet to more schools and an additional $1 million to hire a state computer science coordinator as a “down payment” on a comprehensive plan to provide access to computer science classes to all California students.

Diana Lambert

May 8, 2019

California moves to get more K-12 students into computer science classes

More California K-12 students at all grade levels could have access to computer science classes if schools implement a plan unanimously approved by the State Board of Education Wednesday.

Diana Lambert

April 17, 2019

California lags behind other states in quality and access to state-funded preschool

California was ranked 14th in access to preschool for 4-year-olds, behind Oklahoma, Vermont, Florida, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Georgia and South Carolina, among other states.

Zaidee Stavely

April 10, 2019

A 4th year of high school math for CSU admissions? Just the idea triggers debate

A fourth course of high school math could be calculus, computer science, statistics, business math to fill possible extra CSU entrance requirement.

Larry Gordon

April 9, 2019

California students learn to code to prepare for tomorrow's jobs

Thousands of students at 260 schools in low-income California communities are learning computer coding after school in the Kids Code program. A school’s eligibility for the grant was based on the number of students receiving free and reduced-priced lunch, used as an indicator of community poverty.

Diana Lambert

March 27, 2019

In this California classroom, students teach each other their home languages — and learn acceptance

In a district with an increasing number of students from various countries, this Oakland teacher wants to foster communication.

Zaidee Stavely

March 19, 2019

New training for California preschool teachers to help bilingual children prepare for kindergarten

The trainings teach preschool teachers how to help children learn English and keep their home languages, so they can be more successful in kindergarten and beyond.

Zaidee Stavely

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 30, 2019

California schools help unaccompanied immigrant students combat trauma, language barriers

Unaccompanied immigrant students face a daunting set of obstacles to finish high school. Many students have survived severe trauma in their home countries or missed years of school.

Zaidee Stavely

January 14, 2019

As California community colleges gear up to teach less remedial math, one college shows how it can be done

College of the Canyons has been a trailblazer for several years with its policy of placing more of its students in math classes that count for transfer instead of remedial courses.

Mikhail Zinshteyn

January 13, 2019

Will we step up for California public schools in 2019?

Former California secretary of education suggests 10 ways to help schools succeed.

Glen Thomas

January 9, 2019

School districts will be required to verify they’re fixing California’s lowest-performing schools

The Every Student Succeeds Act requires states to identify and improve student achievement in the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools. Districts with those schools will explain how in a new section of their Local Control and Accountability Plans.

John Fensterwald

December 19, 2018

Parents, educators should scrutinize concepts of gender and sexual identity in state's health education framework

Framework creates guidelines for California K-12 curriculum.