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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.

August 25, 2017

Understanding the Common Core State Standards in California: A quick guide

California remains strongly committed to Common Core standards in math and English language arts, which focus on critical thinking and problem-solving. The standards have been adopted by more than 40 states.

Theresa Harrington

August 24, 2017

National group sharply criticizes state's plan for Every Student Succeeds Act

The state board says the report failed to look at total effort to help schools and hold them accountable.

John Fensterwald

August 20, 2017

Dyslexia, once the reading disability that shall not be named, comes into its own in California

New California Dyslexia Guidelines are meant to improve how reading is taught to all students by all teachers, not just reading specialists.

Jane Meredith Adams

August 17, 2017

California's public universities struggle with rising college eligibility

Far more students are now eligible to enroll at UC and CSU, without a parallel increase in the universities' ability to admit more students.

Louis Freedberg

August 14, 2017

Updated: Charter schools take a hit in nationwide poll

More people still support charters, but the margin has narrowed in an Education Next survey.

John Fensterwald

August 7, 2017

Key to overcoming remedial obstacles is for students to arrive at college better prepared

Despite recent changes at the college level, more needs to be done in K-12 schools.

Louis Freedberg

August 2, 2017

Watchdog agency's new CEO warns of impact of dwindling school revenue

Districts' revenues may be back to pre-recession levels, but not their buying power, says FCMAT's Michael Fine.

John Fensterwald

July 27, 2017

Record high vaccination rates of 7th-graders reported in first year of stricter requirements

As California's strict vaccination law turns a year old, vaccination rates have reached their highest levels.

Jane Meredith Adams

July 26, 2017

Expanding their taxing power would be one way to provide school districts more money

That's the recommendation of Rick Simpson, the Assembly's retired expert on school finance.

John Fensterwald

July 24, 2017

Charter school's demise prompts debate about strengthening oversight

A recent audit found that Tri-Valley Learning Corporation executives had conflicts of interest and commingled funds.

George White

July 20, 2017

California proposes minimal sanctions for low participation in state tests

A new icon in the school dashboard would signify less than 95 percent participation.

John Fensterwald

July 20, 2017

Betsy DeVos and teachers' union leader trade barbs

U.S. Education Secretary and American Federation of Teachers President's comments highlight division that exists between some school choice advocates and those who back traditional public schools.