Topics Federal Education Policy

November 29, 2022

California college students have their own ideas on diversifying campuses

College students respond to the question “How do you think California’s colleges and universities can build more diverse student populations without considering race in the admissions process?”

The California Student Journalism Corps

People

November 7, 2022

New biography examines Michael Kirst's impact on public education in California and beyond

Kirst , who was president of the State Board of Education for all four of Jerry Brown’s terms as governor, co-authored the Local Control Funding Formula.

John Fensterwald

Testing and Accountability

October 23, 2022

Scores nationwide crater on national math test, California’s not quite so much

Scores for the nation and California took a historic drop in fourth and eighth grade math on the National Assessment for Educational Progress or NAEP. There was some good news, too, for California, despite the pandemic.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

October 12, 2022

How California schools can deliver on the promise of universal meals

At a moment when school nutrition directors are facing unprecedented challenges — rising food costs, widespread staff shortages, supply chain uncertainty — here are five practical things schools can do to provide nutritious, fulfilling meals to all California students.

Kirsten Saenz Tobey

Commentary

September 19, 2022

Let's make the most of the flood of resources for our students

As unprecedented funding flows into education across the country, administrators must improve communication and coordination to ensure it makes a real difference for students.

Nati Rodriguez

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.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

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.

Anthony Felix

Commentary

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.

Brandy Dreibelbis

School Finance

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.

John Fensterwald

English Learners

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.

Zaidee Stavely

School Finance

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.

John Fensterwald

Early Learning

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.