Topic

Policy & Finance

While California’s Local Control Funding Formula shifted control over budgeting and decision making from the state to local districts, the state and federal government still retain authority over setting broad education and school finance policies. In this section, find articles about pressing challenges to California’s education system, the state’s education reforms, how school districts are implementing them, and their impact.

Student Well-Being

March 21, 2023

Are kids collateral damage in California culture wars?

Political polarization is negatively impacting school staff, undermining school management and heightening anxiety and hostility among students, according to a survey of 150 school principals.

Diana Lambert

Commentary

March 20, 2023

California has heavily invested in recruiting high-quality teachers; it can’t stop now

Now is the time to double down on the investments we’ve made since 2020 in shoring up our educator workforce and its pipeline.

Marvin Lopez

School Finance

March 16, 2023

West Contra Costa Unified school board rejects layoff proposal

The West Contra Costa Unified school board rejected proposals to reduce hours and cut dozens of school worker positions.

Ali Tadayon

School Finance

March 10, 2023

Layoffs for next year up for vote by West Contra Costa Unified school board

The district is proposing to lay off a yet-to-be-determined number of school workers next year, leaving union leaders confused.

Ali Tadayon

California's Reading Dilemma

March 9, 2023

Can common ground be found on teaching reading in California?

A new paper aims to find consensus about literacy curriculum for English language learners and other students and early screeners for reading.

Zaidee Stavely

Commentary

March 8, 2023

The Legislature can — and should — pull the plug on ethnic studies

California’s ethnic studies graduation law can be suspended without further legislative action under the bill’s own terms, which state the requirement becomes operative “only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature.”

Tammi Rossman-Benjamin

School Finance

March 2, 2023

West Contra Costa Unified braces for more major budget cuts

West Contra Costa Unified will have to cut almost $20 million from its 2024-25 budget in order to remain fiscally solvent, according to a plan approved Wednesday.

Ali Tadayon

School Finance

March 2, 2023

Legislative analyst opposes Newsom’s plan for more funding to high-poverty schools

State auditor says the priority should be fixing funding formula to make spending in high-poverty schools more transparent, not adding $300 million with an “equity multiplier.”

John Fensterwald

College & Careers

February 28, 2023

Biden’s plan to forgive student loans may be in jeopardy after Supreme Court arguments

Conservative majority on U.S. Supreme Court expressed doubts about canceling $400 billion in student loan debt.

Michael Burke

Legislation

February 28, 2023

Proposed constitutional amendment would make state superintendent of public instruction an appointed position

A proposed constitutional amendment could make the superintendent of public instruction an appointed position, instead of an elected one.

Diana Lambert

Preparation

February 24, 2023

California sinks millions into teacher residency programs, but many can't afford to enroll

Teacher residency programs, which offer a year of clinical practice in the classroom and small stipends, are losing enrollment to internships with salaries and benefits.