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Policy & Finance
Topic

Elections

Elections have a major impact on California education. Voters have passed ballot measures such as Proposition 98, which set the level of state education funding, and Proposition 227, which banned bilingual education. Voters also elect the state superintendent of public instruction and local school board members for the state’s nearly 1,000 districts. Governors have often set out to change the state’s education system.
January 29, 2019

After eight years, Democrats assume power over education policy in House of Representatives

Rep. Bobby Scott, the new chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, says he will seek bipartisan support for reauthorizing the Higher Education Act.

Louis Freedberg
January 28, 2019

Sen. Kamala Harris calls for universal preschool and 'debt free' college education

The former California attorney general and San Francisco district attorney also touches on gun violence in schools and law enforcement practices that could have fatal consequences for young people.

Louis Freedberg
January 7, 2019

Tony Thurmond sworn in as California's new superintendent of public instruction

He becomes the second African-American state schools superintendent in California history.

Louis Freedberg
December 9, 2018

Final count shows Thurmond winner of California schools chief race by 187,000 votes

Over 4.5 million more Californians cast a vote for state superintendent for public instruction in mid-term elections than did in 2014, the last time the position was on the ballot.

Louis Freedberg
December 4, 2018

Latinas for the first time make up majority of Bay Area school board

The West Contra Costa Unified School Board for the first time in its history has a Latina majority who will now join in the tough task of making $12 million in budget cuts to help pay for salary increases for teachers and other employees in a region with soaring housing costs.

Theresa Harrington
November 19, 2018

'Blue wave' helps push Thurmond to victory in California schools chief race

Outcome of race a major victory for California Teachers Association and allies, and a major defeat for leading charter school advocates.

Louis Freedberg
November 17, 2018

Thurmond wins race for California state superintendent of public instruction

Thurmond has 50.8 percent of the vote, compared to Tucks’ 49.2 percent.

Louis Freedberg And John Fensterwald
November 13, 2018

Thurmond widens lead over Tuck in race for California schools chief

Thurmond erases 86,000 vote lead by Tuck on Election Day and now has a 75,000 vote lead based on partial count of millions of mail-in and other uncounted ballots.

Louis Freedberg
November 10, 2018

Thurmond substantially increases lead over Tuck in race for California schools chief

Thurmond has a 67,000 lead, with millions of votes yet to be tallied.

Louis Freedberg
November 8, 2018

Most California school construction bonds, parcel taxes pass

Voters approved about 80 percent of 112 school facility bonds and 8 of 13 parcel but a lot of votes remain to be counted.

John Fensterwald
November 8, 2018

Millions of votes still uncounted in California’s tight state superintendent race

As of Thursday evening, election results show Marshall Tuck leading Tony Thurmond 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent, a margin of about 69,000 votes.

Nico Savidge
November 7, 2018

Tuck has thin edge over Thurmond race for California schools chief

High-spending campaign for a job with little power but a big megaphone comes down to wire.

John Fensterwald, Nico Savidge, And Mikhail Zinshteyn
November 6, 2018

Latest results for the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction race

View live results from the California Superintendent of Public Instruction race on election night

Justin Allen, Yuxuan Xie, And Daniel J. Willis
November 6, 2018

A half century ago, race for California schools chief was most contentious in the state

Contest between Wilson Riles and Max Rafferty in 1970 far more incendiary than current race for state superintendent of public instruction

Louis Freedberg
November 4, 2018

What Tuesday's election could mean for California education

California's new governor will be the key player in introducing new reforms. But where the funds to pay for them would come from is anyone's guess.

Louis Freedberg