October 8, 2021

Proposed 2022 California ballot initiative sets stage to define 'high-quality' education

David Welch, who lost a lawsuit challenging teacher tenure, is trying a new tack: a constitutional guarantee for a "high-quality" education.

John Fensterwald

October 7, 2021

Equity in learning starts with equity for community college teachers

The majority of community college faculty are limited to working part time, often commuting from one district to another. A bill before the governor would allow colleges to increase the number of hours part-time faculty can work in a single district.

John Martin

April 29, 2021

Poll: Most Californians worry schools won't reopen fully next fall

In an annual survey on K-12 education, most voters approved how Gov. Newsom and their local districts handled schools during the pandemic.

John Fensterwald

April 28, 2021

California teachers, school staff receive bumps in pay as campuses reopen

Districts signed agreements before reopening campuses that included everything from retroactive raises and bonuses to ongoing salary increases.

Diana Lambert

January 4, 2021

Stipends, jobs for student teachers needed to diversify California’s teaching force

Taking a year off of work is a barrier for potential teachers, especially teachers of color, wanting to enter the teaching profession.

Jarod Kawasaki

July 31, 2020

California court gives school districts, local governments limited win in ruling on pensions  

The court upheld a provision of the pension reform law but didn’t determine whether pension obligations to current public employees can be changed.

John Fensterwald

July 27, 2020

California family child care providers vote to join union

In addition to advocating for higher pay per subsidized child, providers say they will call for more training and more access to subsidies.

Zaidee Stavely

February 11, 2020

College costs, teacher shortage still top concerns in poll of California voters

Annual PACE/USC Rossier poll also finds support for increasing teacher pay, requiring ethnic studies and taking action to prevent gun violence.

John Fensterwald

January 9, 2020

Teachers who must pay their subs while on extended leave may get relief

California State Sen. Connie Leyva is moving to repeal a 40-year-old law requiring public school teachers on extended sick leave to pay for their own substitute teachers.

Julia McEvoy, KQED

November 14, 2019

Pension costs feed resistance to higher school taxes in California county, study finds

An increase in mandated costs has frustrated voters in Marin County, where passing school parcel taxes had been a safe bet until 2016.

John Fensterwald

August 19, 2019

Support grows nationwide for paying teachers more

A poll by the journal Education Next finds most people favor more federal spending on education and free college tuition.

John Fensterwald

August 9, 2019

Child care providers push California to boost pay for early education teachers

Legislation could increase teacher pay at subsidized centers serving low-income children.

Zaidee Stavely

July 3, 2019

Oakland Unified hires interim CFO to fix fiscal problems as it seeks a permanent financial chief

The district is hiring Luz Cazares, an experienced business official, to implement best practices and lay the groundwork for a new CFO.

Theresa Harrington

May 6, 2019

Oakland Unified committed to fixing fiscal problems, but state must also step up

As district recovers after strike, superintendent calls on state to provide more funding.

Kyla Johnson-Trammell

May 6, 2019

School districts must do more to manage costs of health benefits

When districts spend more money on health benefits, there’s less money for other priorities, like teacher salaries, researcher says.

Paul Bruno