EXPLORE: California's Community Colleges: At A CrossroadsQuick Guides
Curriculum
Topic

Distance Learning

The coronavirus crisis has forced school districts, colleges and universities to shift to teaching and learning online. But distance learning poses myriad challenges in a state of 40 million people where many students still lack reliable access to the internet and the devices they need to succeed in online learning. Under this topic, you will find EdSource’s stories exploring these challenges and strategies to overcome them.
Digital Divide
July 15, 2021

California moves to adopt historic $6 billion broadband plan

The bill will enable local governments and nonprofits to bypass private companies and build their own broadband infrastructure.

Sydney Johnson
Coronavirus
July 8, 2021

California voters give schools and teachers top grades in year-end survey

Were voters "grading on a curve" in recognition of hard work amid a pandemic? Polling also found growing tensions on race and politics.

John Fensterwald
Distance Learning
July 7, 2021

California directs districts to offer remote independent study this fall

The education trailer bill extends independent study to students whose health would be put at risk by in-person instruction.

Sydney Johnson
Distance Learning
July 1, 2021

Pandemic drives sharp rise in California families opening their own home schools

Almost 35,000 California families filed a private school affidavit to home-school their children during the 2020-21 school year — more than double the number filed before the pandemic.

Diana Lambert
State Education Policy
June 24, 2021

Grading changes, other Covid accommodations await Gov. Newsom’s signature

An extra year in high school, a Pass or No Pass option and minimum graduation requirements would help undo damage from the pandemic.

John Fensterwald
Distance Learning
June 7, 2021

California schools move ahead with fall distance learning plans despite limitations

Parents and education advocacy groups are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to extend distance learning provisions for the upcoming school year.

Sydney Johnson
Coronavirus
May 18, 2021

Quick Guide: Where do things stand on in-person instruction in California?

This guide provides answers to frequently asked questions about how California is moving forward with plans for reopening the state’s K-12 schools for full in-person instructions.

EdSource staff
Distance Learning
May 5, 2021

Over half of California public school students remain in distance learning

An EdSource analysis found far fewer low-income students have returned for in-person instruction and large variations by region.

Daniel J. Willis And John Fensterwald
Legislation
April 22, 2021

Missing kindergartners drive largest drop in 20 years in California's K-12 enrollment

Causes for the slide in enrollment are myriad, complicated by existing trends including declining birthrates and people's continued exodus from the state, as well as the sudden economic chaos wrought by the pandemic.

Karen D'Souza, John Fensterwald, And Daniel J. Willis
People
April 21, 2021

L.A. Unified Supt. Austin Beutner to step down in June

During his tenure, Beutner dealt both with a historic teachers’ strike and a pandemic.

Betty Márquez Rosales
Testing and Accountability
April 8, 2021

Local assessments an option if Smarter Balanced tests ‘not viable,’ U.S. education officials affirm

California state officials have not yet outlined in detail what conditions must exist for a district to select an alternative assessment.

Sydney Johnson
Quick Guides
April 4, 2021

Quick Guide: What California’s now defunct color-coded county tracking system meant for schools

Learn more about the state's tiered system of assessing coronavirus risk and how it relates to schools.

Ali Tadayon
Teacher Voices
March 30, 2021

Teachers on Covid: lessons learned and advice to pass along

Many teachers agree that distance learning forced them to focus on what's important and to listen closely to the views of students.

John Fensterwald
Coronavirus
March 26, 2021

What 3-foot social distance means for reopening of California schools

Some districts will pivot quickly and return to full in-person instruction now; others say they can now start planning for the fall.

Diana Lambert And John Fensterwald
Coronavirus
March 24, 2021

California lags behind most states in offering fully in-person instruction, new data show

Across the country, 32% of 4th-grade students have been offered hybrid instruction and 47% have been offered fully in-person instruction.

Sydney Johnson