June 29, 2022

Charter schools, abundant in California, could be a Supreme Court target

Critics of the Carson v. Makin decision are warning that charter schools could be drawn into the next skirmish over religious expression.

John Fensterwald

June 28, 2022

Even incremental support for early ed teachers can help ease the child care crisis

Incremental changes could go a long way toward addressing the teacher shortage and provide more families with access to child care.

Anthony Felix

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

June 26, 2022

California schools should opt for inclusive ethnic studies

As school districts are readying to spend $50 million from the state for ethnic studies curriculum development, they should adopt an ethnic studies course that is inclusive and ensure the process is transparent and open to input.

Bill Honig

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

June 22, 2022

California must invest in science and math instruction in the state budget now

Funding to train teachers and build school districts' capacity to provide high-quality instruction in math and science is a priority in Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget, but not in the Legislature's. The governor is right.

Christopher J. Nellum, Peter A’Hearn and Shari Dickstein-Staub

June 22, 2022

California Prop. 13’s 'unjust legacy' detailed in critical study

Study recommends no specific fix to 1978 property tax limit initiative, but the Opportunity Institute and Pivot Learning cite many reasons to consider reforms.

John Fensterwald

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

June 17, 2022

California to create teaching credential covering pre-K through 3rd grade that requires literacy training

State commission hopes new credential will help attract thousands of teachers for transitional kindergarten; literacy advocates press for strong literacy standards.

John Fensterwald

June 17, 2022

Advocates for community schools support more funding but call for fixes to program

Tight deadlines and rigid qualifications were among the concerns raised by supporters of the state's multi-year community schools initiative

Ali Tadayon

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.

Jeff Rice

June 14, 2022

Bill would give $25,000 to aspiring school counselors, social workers

The goal is to increase diversity among mental health professionals and add counselors to underserved areas, supporters say

Carolyn Jones

June 13, 2022

With pressures on teachers at a boiling point, California needs new pathways into the profession

For long-term and lasting solutions, we must attract more young people to enter the teaching profession and give them the training and support they need to succeed.

Sarah Lillis & Anne Stanton

June 13, 2022

Dozens of California community colleges planning to offer remedial classes in violation of law, report says

The California Acceleration Project found that 47 colleges are planning to offer remedial math classes this fall. The group says AB 1705, newly proposed legislation is needed to address that trend.

Michael Burke

June 8, 2022

California has tens of billions more in funding for its TK-12 schools. Is that enough to keep teachers from leaving?

California must invest more to attract and retain public school teachers when so many are considering quitting.

Angella Martinez