Topic

High-needs students

California’s school finance system allocates extra funding for English learners, students who are low-income or homeless and children in foster care. Collectively, these students are often referred to “high needs students.” Though many students fall into more than one category, each of these groups faces unique challenges. In the stories below, EdSource shines a light on these challenges as well as strategies to address them. See also: Foster youth, Homeless youth, English learners, and Low-income Students.

Student Well-Being

August 11, 2022

California colleges now have centers to help students with basic needs like food and housing

As community college students return to their campuses, many will find one new resource to count on: a hub where they can seek support in meeting their basic needs.

Betty Márquez Rosales

Quick Guides

August 11, 2022

Basic needs at the California community colleges | Quick Guide

California Community Colleges must now offer a basic needs center at all 115 of its physical campuses. Most centers will offer food and housing support to begin.

Betty Márquez Rosales

Credentialing

August 4, 2022

Poorer students still get the least qualified teachers, but California has made progress

There are 40% more teachers in poor schools who lack the required qualifications than in the richest schools, an EdSource analysis found.

Diana Lambert, John Fensterwald, And Daniel J. Willis

Commentary

August 3, 2022

We're not giving teachers what they need to support their English learners

California teachers say textbooks and other instructional material lack the context and cultural relevance needed to support English learners.

Renae Skarin and William Zahner

English Learners

August 1, 2022

California could paint a clearer picture of English learner achievement if new bill passes

The bill would require the state to separate out test scores in English language arts, math and science for subgroups of English learners.

Zaidee Stavely

English Learners

July 28, 2022

How a journalism class in Compton boosts students’ English skills

Students learn listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, by interviewing and writing articles, in this six-week summer class.

Zaidee Stavely

Anne's Insights

July 19, 2022

'Jane the Virgin' writer: From undocumented English learner to Hollywood

Legal troubles and California's community colleges helped author Rafael Agustin find his way forward.

Anne Vasquez

Teacher Survey Project

July 13, 2022

California teachers share their challenges and worries: Teaching during Covid

The nonprofit Inverness Institute interviewed veteran teachers about life in the classroom during another difficult year impacted by a pandemic; two principals involved with the study sum up the findings in an interview with EdSource's John Fensterwald.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

July 12, 2022

College and career success begins with K-12 schools

Educators from schools and community colleges, business and community leaders must discard the narrow educational approaches that have failed students for decades and build new ecosystems of learning.

Michael Matsuda

Commentary

July 11, 2022

More teachers, outreach needed to support California's youngest English learners

California can create a national model for expanding educational opportunities for students and crafting groundbreaking policies that serve to properly identify and serve dual language students.

Patricia Lozano and Feliza Ortiz-Licon

Student voices

July 1, 2022

It’s not easy trying to finish college in 2022; try doing it with autism

Autism makes college harder. But perseverance and support services are helping this student make his way through.

Ramon Castaños

School Finance

June 28, 2022

Gov. Newsom strikes deal on state budget: big increase for K-12, plan to expand Cal Grant, too

Compromise includes 13% more for funding formula, extra for community schools, student transportation, school construction, literacy coaches and expansion of Cal Grants.

John Fensterwald And Michael Burke

Bilingual Education

June 24, 2022

California to boost number of bilingual teachers in Asian languages

School districts struggle to hire bilingual teachers in all languages, but the shortage is more severe for teachers fluent in Asian languages.

Zaidee Stavely

College & Careers

June 21, 2022

Campuses looking to offer housing for students and their children

Students in need of year-round, stable housing — rather than only during academic terms — face particular challenges when deciding which school to attend.

Betty Márquez Rosales

Commentary

June 15, 2022

Students in personalized learning schools deserve equitable funding

Personalized learning offers an alternative to students who don't thrive in traditional classroom settings. These public schools need the same protections against the financial disruptions of pandemic-related enrollment declines as other California schools.