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Getting Down to Facts

In Getting Down to Facts, more than 100 leading California and national researchers produced three dozen studies examining a decade of sweeping changes and pressing education issues. EdSource will track the impact of the reports as state and local leaders continue to transform PreK-12 in California.

September 17, 2018

Essential Guide to Getting Down to Facts II

Here are the take-aways from the studies on special education, funding needs, a teacher shortage, a data deficit, student mental health local control's unmet potential – and more.

John Fensterwald, Daniel J. Willis, Yuxuan Xie, And Justin Allen
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
October 29, 2018

California school districts make new investments in teacher evaluation

San Juan Unified is one of the California school districts making investments in its teacher evaluation system. The district adopted a System of Professional Growth in 2016 that focuses on feedback and mentoring of teachers who are being evaluated.

Diana Lambert
October 25, 2018

Jerry Brown awaits his day in court on pension reform

The governor wants California Supreme Court to give public agencies, like school districts, the ability to change pension benefits for current workers in hard times.

John Fensterwald
October 11, 2018

A future in flux: what next for the California Department of Education?

Without a lot more money, the next state superintendent of public instruction must clarify the department's role under local control.

John Fensterwald
September 30, 2018

The case for spending a lot more on California schools

Two panels of teachers and principals were asked to design minimal staffing, programs and resources to meet state expectations for educating all students in California. Their finding: Add $22 billion to the tab.

John Fensterwald
September 27, 2018

California’s persistent teacher shortage fueled by attrition, high demand, say newly released studies

The teacher shortage has worsened in recent years as state funding for education improved and districts began lowering class sizes and bringing back programs, increasing the demand for teachers, according to new studies.

Diana Lambert
September 18, 2018

New findings from Getting Down to Facts II

Watch John Fensterwald in conversation with Sean Reardon and Deborah Stipek on early childhood education.

John Fensterwald
September 17, 2018

Multifaceted reforms needed to reach California’s education goals, research project finds

Getting Down to Facts II finds strong support for education reforms but also obstacles to student achievement and a need for more funding.

John Fensterwald
February 21, 2018

California research project timed to elevate education in fall elections, inform next governor

"Getting Down to Facts" studies will take stock of a decade of change and point to what other states are doing differently.

John Fensterwald