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 Health

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

Commentary

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

Community Colleges

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

Commentary

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

Elections and Education

June 8, 2022

State Supt. Tony Thurmond likely to face runoff election in November

Thurmond so far is falling short of 50% needed to avoid a runoff election. It's too close to identify which of three opponents he will face.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

June 7, 2022

We must reform Cal Grants to better support community college students

The current Cal Grant program creates artificial barriers for community college students to qualify for financial aid, which in turn affects both student access and success.

Marisa Perez and Byron D. Clift Breland

Policy & Finance

June 7, 2022

Schools would likely weather a recession; should the state budget for one?

A nearly $10 billion education rainy day fund and districts' own reserves would protect schools according to state analysts. At issue is how much funding Newsom and the Legislature should to commit to ongoing spending.

John Fensterwald

Statewide Longitudinal Data System

June 6, 2022

What information would help you plan your education path? California wants to know.

The team behind the Cradle-to-Career data system will begin hosting public discussions to shape the dashboards and tools. The system will be California's first statewide data system that tracks a students' progress and outcomes through the education system.

Betty Márquez Rosales

School Finance

June 3, 2022

Legislature disagrees with Newsom on how to spend additional billions for education

California legislative leaders would add $4.5 billion above the governor's proposal for the Local Control Funding Formula, and drop $700 million for early literacy and $1.5 billion for community schools.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

June 2, 2022

We can stop the Head Start classroom crisis

Low wages for Head Start teachers are causing classrooms to close, leaving children without services and risking our financial future.

Anna Ioakimedes

Ethnic Studies

June 1, 2022

Debate turns hot over UC proposal to set criteria for high school ethnic studies

UC board that sets high school admissions requirements rejects draft ethnic studies guidelines viewed as ideological and divisive; drafters vow to fight on.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

May 31, 2022

Pathways to postsecondary and economic success: A golden opportunity for California students

Pathways prepare high school students for college and work by creating rich learning experiences that combine rigorous academics with career training and quicker routes to higher education.

Kyla Johnson-Trammell and Jill A. Baker

Commentary

May 27, 2022

Families of English learners must be allowed to engage and lead in district budgeting

California's budgeting framework is designed to engage communities in their aspirations and be adaptable to local needs. But families of English learners are too often locked out of the process.

Eduardo R. Muñoz-Muñoz

Commentary

May 25, 2022

Schools should avail of state funding to serve more freshly prepared and locally grown food

California districts are leading the way in offering fresh, healthy school meals for all students.

Brandy Dreibelbis

Commentary

May 20, 2022

California education to be spared divisive statewide election battles this year

Education ballot measures that promised to be most divisive failed to gather enough support and signatures to make it to the ballot this year.