EXPLORE: Student WellbeingCollege & CareersWeekly Podcast2018 Election
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Policy & Finance

California, under Gov. Jerry Brown, has shifted control over budgeting and decision-making from the state to local districts. But Sacramento – through the State Board of Education and the Legislature – and Washington, D.C., still retain authority over setting broad education and school finance policies. EdSource Today is tracking the development of the Local Control Funding Formula, California’s new school finance system, and how districts are implementing this reform.
April 3, 2018

Student activist from Oakland appointed to California’s Board of Education

Oakland Unified junior says protecting undocumented students and their families from deportation is the most important issue to her.

Theresa Harrington
March 29, 2018

Federal funding for after-school programs intact, despite threatened budget cuts

The federal budget includes $1.21 billion for programs to help children in high-poverty areas with reading, math and science homework after school.

Ashley Hopkinson
March 29, 2018

Districts must do more to reduce low-income schools' share of inexperienced, ineffective teachers under new federal law

Effectiveness has nothing to do with teachers' impact or performance, as California defines it under the new federal law.

John Fensterwald
March 28, 2018

Bay Area school district wants voters to decide whether to drop at-large elections

Lawsuit asks the court to order West Contra Costa Unified to seek a State Board of Education waiver to bypass an election so new boundaries could take effect in November.

Theresa Harrington
March 27, 2018

While criticizing Newsom, California charter school group endorses Villaraigosa for governor

The association also endorses Marshall Tuck for superintendent of public instruction.

David Washburn and Louis Freedberg
March 26, 2018

Federal help available to California schools struggling with wildfire costs

Funding is available for bus service for displaced students, staff overtime, air filters and other fire-related expenses.

Carolyn Jones
March 25, 2018

Measures to fund child care reach the ballot in two California counties

New taxes would subsidize child care for low- and middle-income families.

Carolyn Jones
March 21, 2018

Remembrance: Ron Bennett recalled as skilled negotiator and mentor

A mid-career switch led him from the Air Force to Long Beach Unified to running the state's largest school consulting firm.

John Fensterwald
March 20, 2018

How Trump repeal of Obama-era school discipline guidelines could affect California

Civil rights advocates worry that if the Trump administration decides to rescind federal school discipline guidance established in 2014, the action could hamper reform efforts at the local level. Meanwhile, state officials say it would have no real effect on statewide policy.

David Washburn
March 20, 2018

Candidates for California's top school chief post call for more transparency in spending of state funds

During the debate, they also called for substantially increasing education funding.

John Fensterwald and Louis Freedberg
March 15, 2018

Don’t swap state tests like Smarter Balanced for SAT or ACT, report cautions

State Superintendent Torlakson and some superintendents are at odds on the issue. An analysis by the prominent nonprofit Achieve will add fuel to the debate.

John Fensterwald
March 14, 2018

State Board postpones vote on revising California's education plan to meet federal requirements

Big question for board members: Would the deal undermine the state's strategy for reforms?

John Fensterwald
March 14, 2018

Community engagement is the key to making California's school funding formula work

Report says district focus on community engagement is vital for successful implementation.

Daniel Humphrey
March 13, 2018

Gov. Brown’s plan to change community college funding to promote student success faces scrutiny

The Legislative Analyst’s Office is recommending that Brown tie funding to the academic outcomes of low-income students.

Mikhail Zinshteyn
March 12, 2018

Those who walk out on Wednesday will join a rich history of student protest

The National School Walkout, which is being staged to honor the victims of the Parkland, Fla., massacre and advocate for stricter gun control laws, is the latest example of students making a difference in national affairs.

David Washburn and Yuxuan Xie