Topics Federal Education Policy

June 29, 2022

Charter schools, abundant in California, could be a Supreme Court target

Critics of the Carson v. Makin decision are warning that charter schools could be drawn into the next skirmish over religious expression.

June 28, 2022

Even incremental support for early ed teachers can help ease the child care crisis

Incremental changes could go a long way toward addressing the teacher shortage and provide more families with access to child care.

June 7, 2022

We must reform Cal Grants to better support community college students

The current Cal Grant program creates artificial barriers for community college students to qualify for financial aid, which in turn affects both student access and success.

Marisa Perez and Byron D. Clift Breland

Commentary

May 25, 2022

Schools should avail of state funding to serve more freshly prepared and locally grown food

California districts are leading the way in offering fresh, healthy school meals for all students.

March 9, 2022

Layoff notices are back in some California school districts in a year of plenty: How come?

For now, most California districts are flush with money. But those that aren't face a March 15 deadline to initiate layoffs they hope won't happen.

January 24, 2022

How Congress can help students learning English

Report says Congress should triple federal funding for English learners and increase grants for bilingual teacher training and preschool.

December 28, 2021

Catholic schools sue LA Unified for gutting funding for their low-income students

The California Department of Education found Los Angeles Unified violated the law in cutting 90% of funding for more than 100 archdiocese schools, and now the diocese is suing the district.

November 19, 2021

Universal preschool and affordable child care: What survives in Biden’s spending bill

The $2 trillion House-passed social policy bill includes about $400 billion earmarked for universal preschool and affordable child care and an extension of the child tax credit.

November 15, 2021

How will California districts spend $13.6 billion in federal Covid relief?

American Rescue Plan Act funding imposes few restrictions, although addressing lost learning and underserved students must be priorities.

November 8, 2021

Find out how much California school districts and charter schools received in Covid relief | Database

See how the over $13.6 billion in federal aid to California’s K-12 schools will be spent using this interactive database.

Daniel J. Willis And Justin Allen

School Finance

November 5, 2021

State schools chief apologizes to private, parochial school leaders for mishandling federal Covid aid

California schools chief acknowledges "heartburn" and frustration, promises to free up $187 million, largely for urban parochial schools.

October 25, 2021

For months, California private schools have been waiting for 'emergency' Covid aid

Delay by the California Department of Education is denying vital services for students, creating a budget squeeze for urban Catholic schools.

October 20, 2021

California state auditor urges tighter oversight of how districts spend federal Covid aid

State Auditor Elaine Howle faults California Department of Education for not scrutinizing spending and not doing more audits.

September 30, 2021

Will Biden's reconciliation bill transform early childhood education?

If these sweeping proposals are enacted, they would overhaul the nation’s child care system to make it more accessible and affordable.

September 20, 2021

Pell Grant students are doing all they can; they deserve our support.

If Congress beefed up the yearly Pell Grant award, UC students would be able to use more of their financial aid to cover additional basic living expenses and reduce their housing and food insecurity, while borrowing less.