Robert Macias marks his ballot for the California primary at the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters office in Sacramento on June 7, 2022.

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Elections and Education

Elections have a major impact on California education. Voters have passed ballot measures that set the level of state education funding. They banned bilingual education and later reversed that ban. Voters elect the state superintendent of public instruction and local school board members. And they elect governors who have power over school funding, appointing members to the State Board of Education and to the UC Board of Regents and the CSU Board of Trustees.

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A guide to what a $10 billion construction bond on the ballot could mean for your school

October 4, 2024

Under Proposition 2, the state would pay a portion of school districts' renovations and new buildings, while ensuring small districts get a share.

John Fensterwald

Q&A: How one Cal State professor plans to teach politics during 'the most important election since 1860'

August 26, 2024

“I'm going to have people in this class who are on far sides of the political spectrum trying to work together,” said Sonoma State’s David McCuan. “Can that be combustible? Yeah, sure, maybe.”

Amy DiPierro

Harris-Walz and Trump-Vance tickets offer radically different visions of public education

August 7, 2024

The two campaigns have laid out starkly different positions on issues related to public education.

Louis Freedberg

'Bring it on,' Kamala Harris says in fiery speech to teachers' union

July 25, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a major address to the nation's second-largest teachers' union, the American Federation of Teachers.

Louis Freedberg

Joseph Komrosky’s recall leaves Temecula Valley Unified’s future uncertain

June 20, 2024

Voters recalled Joseph Komrosky, the conservative president of the Temecula Valley Unified School District, leading to an uncertain future with elections looming.

Mallika Seshadri

Lack of reliable education data hamstrings California lawmakers and the public

June 20, 2024

Knowing whether educational programs and policies are working can be difficult in California because data available on the Department of Education website is sometimes outdated and inaccurate.

Diana Lambert

Grassroots contributions fueled bid to oust two from Orange County school board

April 23, 2024

A grassroots campaign recalled two members of the Orange Unified School District in an election that cost more than half a million dollars.

Mallika Seshadri And Daniel J. Willis

'High-quality public schools' initiative pushed back to 2026 ballot

February 2, 2024

Litigation or the Legislature would define what constitutes high quality and the standards and resources to measure it.

John Fensterwald

California education issues to watch in 2024 — and predictions

January 4, 2024

Cheers! A state budget deficit will create financial stress for schools; contentious statewide ballot issues will create stress for voters.

John Fensterwald And Yuxuan Xie

Why five superintendents decided to walk away from their jobs

December 7, 2023

This year, California has had many school superintendents leave their jobs. Five former and current school district leaders talk about why their decisions.

Diana Lambert

LGBTQ+ students in conservative crosshairs

October 5, 2023

Parental notification policies being passed by school districts are dividing communities, pitting teachers against students and creating fear and anxiety for LGBTQ students.

Diana Lambert

School board opponents in Orange Unified turn in signatures for recall election

October 5, 2023

Parents angered by sudden firing of popular superintendent by a newly elected conservative majority in Orange County prepare for an expensive, closely watched election.

John Fensterwald

Clovis Unified to get rid of its at-large school board elections

August 5, 2023

Under the change, Clovis Unified residents will only be able to vote for a candidate in their area.

Lasherica Thornton

Are kids collateral damage in California culture wars?

March 21, 2023

Political polarization is negatively impacting school staff, undermining school management and heightening anxiety and hostility among students, according to a survey of 150 school principals.

Diana Lambert

Proposed constitutional amendment would make state superintendent of public instruction an appointed position

February 28, 2023

A proposed constitutional amendment could make the superintendent of public instruction an appointed position, instead of an elected one.

Diana Lambert
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