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Curriculum
Topic

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.
June 17, 2019

Study: More than half of California high schools lack computer science courses

Students of color, rural students and low-income students are among the least likely to have access to computer science courses.

Sydney Johnson
May 14, 2019

State budget proposal would fund computer science coordinator, broadband expansion

Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing $15 million to expand broadband internet to more schools and an additional $1 million to hire a state computer science coordinator as a “down payment” on a comprehensive plan to provide access to computer science classes to all California students.

Diana Lambert
May 8, 2019

California moves to get more K-12 students into computer science classes

More California K-12 students at all grade levels could have access to computer science classes if schools implement a plan unanimously approved by the State Board of Education Wednesday.

Diana Lambert
April 10, 2019

A 4th year of high school math for CSU admissions? Just the idea triggers debate

A fourth course of high school math could be calculus, computer science, statistics, business math to fill possible extra CSU entrance requirement.

Larry Gordon
April 9, 2019

California students learn to code to prepare for tomorrow's jobs

Thousands of students at 260 schools in low-income California communities are learning computer coding after school in the Kids Code program. A school’s eligibility for the grant was based on the number of students receiving free and reduced-priced lunch, used as an indicator of community poverty.

Diana Lambert
February 18, 2019

California students may not be ready for new science test

Although students will begin taking the California Science Test in March, most school districts have yet to approve textbooks or materials aligned to the new standards adopted six years ago by the State Board of Education. Still, federal law is requiring California to begin testing this year.

Diana Lambert
January 14, 2019

As California community colleges gear up to teach less remedial math, one college shows how it can be done

College of the Canyons has been a trailblazer for several years with its policy of placing more of its students in math classes that count for transfer instead of remedial courses.

Mikhail Zinshteyn
November 19, 2018

Preschoolers take on math with the help of college students

Preschool Counts, a program piloted by Stanford University in 2013, is boosting early math skills by pairing undergraduate students with preschoolers to practice math through games and other activities.

Ashley Hopkinson
October 2, 2018

Small rise in California’s math and reading scores in 2018

There are signs of "encouragement" and "distress" in implementing the Common Core standards after four years of Smarter Balanced testing. There is also a dilemma: 11th-grade results.

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 27, 2018

California improves access to computer science courses, but still has work to do, according to new research

The Code.org Advocacy Coalition designed nine policies to increase access to computer science classes for all students.

Diana Lambert
September 13, 2018

California embraces computer science in its schools

California State Board of Education adopted California’s first ever model K-12 computer science standards last week.

Trish Williams
September 5, 2018

California adopts first computer science standards for K-12 students

The standards will guide teaching for K-12 students.

Diana Lambert
August 20, 2018

Research backs California's push to reform remedial math education

Students do better in for-credit classes with extra support than when they are pushed into no-credit remedial algebra, studies show.

Alexandra W. Logue
July 26, 2018

Best way to improve student math scores? Change teachers’ attitudes, study says

Scores rose 8 points after teachers took a course designed to improve their own knowledge.

Carolyn Jones