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Math and Science

California is in the midst of major reforms in the way math is taught based on the Common Core standards. It is also implementing new approaches to teaching science as a result of the state’s adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards. At the same time, the state faces a shortage of teachers in both math and science. How well students do in each of these major areas of the curriculum have long-range implications for California’s future.
July 6, 2020

California districts attempt to revive outdoor education programs slashed during the pandemic

In California, leaders of 37% of outdoor education programs said they will remain closed due to lack of financing after the coronavirus pandemic.

Sydney Johnson
June 10, 2020

California science teachers look for new ways to bring hands-on experiments to students

While some families are doing science projects at home, teachers say a lack of supplies makes it difficult to assign hands-on experiments.

Sydney Johnson
April 9, 2020

Don’t cancel summer internships, California STEM education advocates caution

Some companies are cancelling summer internships altogether amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Sydney Johnson
March 3, 2020

California’s largest district rolls out seal of approval for STEM schools

Los Angeles Unified is encouraging STEM schools to get a certificate indicating that the school meets high standards set by the district.

Sydney Johnson
February 7, 2020

Less than a third of California students met or exceeded standards on new science test

The results are the first set of scores for a new test aligned with California’s new science standards.

Sydney Johnson
February 7, 2020

California Science Test Results: 2019

Search for your school or district's 2018-19 scores on the new California Science Test.

Daniel J. Willis
February 5, 2020

California parents sharpen their computer science skills alongside students

Family coding events have spurred some districts to increase computer science offerings during the school day.

Sydney Johnson
January 29, 2020

CSU trustees delay decision to require extra high school class for admission

An independent group will be commissioned to study CSU's proposal to require a fourth year of high school math in freshman admissions.

Michael Burke
January 15, 2020

New push in California to increase diversity among math and science teachers

For years the need for trained and qualified teachers has been growing in schools across California, especially in math and science.

Sydney Johnson
December 11, 2019

California parents, preschool teachers learn to teach math through children’s books

A series of activities designed to teach math concepts inspired by children’s books is being piloted as part of a statewide early math initiative.

Zaidee Stavely
December 3, 2019

U.S. math scores remain flat on international test of 15-year-olds

U.S. math scores have not budged significantly since 2003 on the worldwide assessment.

Sydney Johnson
November 20, 2019

CSU leaders appear ready to move forward with requiring extra year of quantitative reasoning despite concerns

Opponents include state leaders and activists, who reiterated fears that the change will harm black, Latino and low-income students.

Michael Burke
November 19, 2019

California must build the capacity of its public universities to admit more computer science majors

The state is promoting computer science in K-12 schools, but UC and CSU colleges lack bandwidth to meet the demand.

Trish Boyd Williams and Sathya Narayanan
November 18, 2019

Students talk through math in this California school. Now test scores are rising.

Math scores for Latino students have more than doubled at Robbins Elementary since 2014-15.

Sydney Johnson
November 1, 2019

As fires rage, pressure mounts to train California’s next generation of forest stewards

Similar to other STEM fields, employers in California’s natural resources industries are in need of a larger and more diverse pool of applicants.

Sydney Johnson