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Special Reports
Special Report

Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn

California education has never faced a bigger crisis than the Covid-19 global pandemic: the shutdown of schools and rapid shift to distance and hybrid learning is upending school traditions for families and educators. Come along as EdSource chronicles how families across the state are confronting this learning challenge. In this continuing series, we hear the stories from students and their families who are facing new demands and responding with courage and flexibility to extraordinary pressures.

Coping With Covid
January 4, 2022

Hit hard by Covid, California high school seniors struggling toward graduation

California school districts are reducing the number of credits needed to graduate, changing school schedules and adding tutoring to help seniors earn their diplomas.

Diana Lambert
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
June 10, 2021

California families confronted Covid and became invested in education

From one end of California to the other, families shared how they were coping with Covid. In this final installment, they look ahead knowing they made it through the year like no other.

EdSource staff
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
April 22, 2021

As California schools reopen to in-person instruction, students and families decide if it's right for them

As schools open their doors across California, life remains far from normal for families participating in EdSource's families project. Some families are opting to remain in distance learning, while in Lucerne Valley, students embrace attending five days a week.

EdSource staff
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
April 22, 2021

Masks on, temperatures checked: Lucerne Valley students embrace school five days a week

The small district in Southern California’s high desert is among the latest where all students can attend classes in person, five days each week.

Michael Burke, Sydney Johnson, And Jennifer Molina
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
March 19, 2021

Teachers reflect on a year of Covid: students struggling, others thriving

Teachers across California spent much of the last year adjusting to an entirely new education landscape of uncertainty, frustration and joy for the students who thrived.

EdSource staff
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
March 19, 2021

Teachers reflect on a year of Covid [VIDEO]

Teachers faced a new education landscape of uncertainty, frustration and lots of Zoom.

Jennifer Molina
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
December 30, 2020

Education Interrupted | Documentary

This documentary illustrates the education struggles families face and how some students put off the start of their college careers, so they could support their families when the pandemic claimed their parents' jobs.

Jennifer Molina
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
December 18, 2020

Finding joy amid tragedy, California families look ahead with hope

With the end of the semester at hand, families and students are looking ahead with hope and finding ways to enjoy time with one another.

EdSource staff
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
November 19, 2020

Disappointing grades, technology glitches and glimpses of learning fun

First report cards of this most unusual school year jolted many of the families participating in EdSource’s special project to chronicle how families are coping. For many, lower-than-expected grades just reinforced how much they are struggling with learning from home.

EdSource Staff
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
November 19, 2020

High school seniors lament what they are missing as they plan for the future

High school seniors and their families can relate to the loss and the uncertainty facing 2021 graduates.

Diana Lambert, Ali Tadayon, And Theresa Harrington
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
November 19, 2020

How one Los Angeles student missed six weeks of virtual school [VIDEO]

Technology and communication problems left Kusema Thomas II out of virtual classes and chronically absent.

Jennifer Molina
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
November 19, 2020

How Kusema Thomas missed six weeks of distance learning in LA Unified middle school

Kusema Thomas II looked forward to sixth grade in a new Los Angeles Unified magnet school but connecting problems cost him six weeks of virtual classes. Now, his father wants tutoring help.

John Fensterwald
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
November 19, 2020

Part II: Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn [VIDEO]

The second video in our ongoing series on how California families are struggling with learning during the Covid crisis.

Jennifer Molina
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
September 17, 2020

Families face the demands of online and hybrid learning

Families across California face a school year like no other as they confront a deadly pandemic that has upended the traditions of going back to school. Come along as EdSource reports how families are learning how to cope.

EdSource staff
Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn
September 17, 2020

Part I: Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn [VIDEO]

This video, “Education during Covid: California families struggle to learn,” is part of a continuing project by EdSource on how California families are struggling with learning during the Covid crisis. It includes photos and videos contributed by participating families.

Jennifer Molina