June 21, 2021

How a California middle school’s history project led to name change

A West Contra Costa Unified middle school is moving to change its name after taking a critical look at its namesake — a Franciscan missionary.

Ali Tadayon

May 13, 2021

Students thrive in Oakland Unified’s health career pathway, study finds

Students in the health career pathway, which provides hands-on training, had higher graduation rates and were more likely to enroll in college.

Carolyn Jones And Louis Freedberg

May 4, 2021

Hundreds of thousands of California students won’t take statewide standardized tests this spring

California released updated guidance for school districts deciding whether Smarter Balanced or a local assessment is their more viable option.

Sydney Johnson

April 30, 2021

In face of anxieties, West Contra Costa Unified commits to full in-person instruction in fall

District officials approved an “action statement” to reassure doubtful families that all students will be allowed back to campuses next school year.

Ali Tadayon

April 23, 2021

New superintendent for West Contra Costa Unified has concrete ideas for closing achievement gaps

Kenneth “Chris” Hurst brings 23 years of experience, having worked as a teacher, principal, associate superintendent and superintendent.

Ali Tadayon

April 5, 2021

Teachers, school staff vote to ratify West Contra Costa Unified's return to school plan

West Contra Costa Unified students will be able to return to the classroom April 19 for limited in-person options following weeks of intense labor negotiations.

Ali Tadayon

March 23, 2021

Parent group pushes back against Bay Area district’s limited in-person plan

A local parent group is pushing back against a tentative agreement reached Friday between West Contra Costa Unified and its employee unions to offer limited in-person instruction beginning April 19. The group is considering suing the district if it doesn't return to full in-person instruction.

Ali Tadayon

March 15, 2021

Distance learning changed California education. What’s here to stay?

Teachers pushed through difficult days to find solutions that kept kids learning during an upended school year. Some changes may stick.

Sydney Johnson

March 8, 2021

Bay Area school district among first to announce plans for summer school

West Contra Costa Unified has committed to an in-person summer school program in an effort to reduce learning loss over the past year.

Ali Tadayon

March 1, 2021

California parents continue to disagree on return to school as Covid-19 cases decline

Many families have had drastically different experiences during the pandemic, creating a mix of fear and frustration over prolonged closures.

Sydney Johnson

February 9, 2021

California teachers grapple with grading nearly a year after initial school closures

Many districts are seeing surges in Fs and Ds during distance learning, prompting a revision of expectations and policies around grades.

Sydney Johnson

January 7, 2021

Rife with infighting, Oakland community college district at risk of losing local control

The state chancellor’s office overseeing California’s community colleges may soon intervene at the Peralta Community College District.

Michael Burke

January 4, 2021

California schools build local wireless networks to bridge digital divide

School districts and cities are looking to creating their own local Wifi networks as a long term solution to the digital divide, and an alternative to hotspots.

Ali Tadayon And Sydney Johnson

December 15, 2020

One more challenge for California teachers in distance learning: All new science curriculum

School districts like West Contra Costa Unified lacked updated learning materials aligned to California’s new science standards prior to the current school year.

Sydney Johnson

November 5, 2020

West Contra Costa Unified superintendent to leave after five years

Superintendent Matthew Duffy resigns effective next June just days after a new majority is elected to the school board.

Ali Tadayon