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Quick Guides

EdSource’s quick guides make complex education issues easier to understand. These brief explanatory articles provide an introduction to key trends, systems, institutions and debates in California education and the context you need to go deeper. Have a suggestion for a topic that would benefit from a similar explainer? Let us know!

January 31, 2020

What California voters need to know about proposed $15 billion school construction bond: a quick guide

The state bond will underwrite some construction costs of schools and universities, with extra help for low-income districts.

John Fensterwald
December 30, 2019

Students in foster care: a quick guide

More than 34,000 students in foster care attend California's K-12 schools. Learn more about their unique challenges and the support systems in place to help them navigate through the education system.

Alexander Montero
June 20, 2019

What schools and parents need to know about California’s vaccination law: a quick guide

Proposed changes to California's 2015 vaccination law now being considered in the Legislature would limit medical exemptions.

Jane Meredith Adams And Diana Lambert
June 20, 2018

Tuition-free college in California: a quick guide

Over 1 million students already attend California colleges and universities tuition-free. A new law could add more students.

Nico Savidge
April 25, 2018

What does California's superintendent of public instruction do? A quick guide

Periodically over the past century, state boards of education, governors and state superintendents have clashed over who should be setting education policy in California.

John Fensterwald
April 19, 2018

Voting for young people explained: a quick guide

It’s never been better to be a young voter in California. Here’s a look at a number of new laws aimed at increasing young voter education and participation.

David Washburn
February 13, 2018

Understanding California education department's role in state's charter schools: a quick guide

The state charter schools division advises the state board on charter school issues and provides grants to schools.

George White
November 12, 2017

Understanding how schools serve homeless children in California: a quick guide

Federal law guarantees homeless children a right to an education, regardless of where they're living.

Carolyn Jones
September 5, 2017

Understanding DACA and education in California: a quick guide

A possible phase-out of DACA won't mean changes to California's financial aid to undocumented students. But those students are worried about their futures if they lose their permits to work legally and might face deportation.

Larry Gordon
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 17, 2017

Understanding transitional kindergarten in California: a quick guide

Transitional kindergarten was introduced after a 2010 California law changed the cutoff birth date for kindergarten entry from Dec. 2 to Sept. 1.

Ashley Hopkinson
August 10, 2017

What it means when a school district declares itself a 'safe haven' or 'sanctuary': a quick guide

Definitions of “sanctuary” vary from district to district, but in most cases it means that school staff will not allow federal immigration agents on campus without a warrant, subpoena or court order.

Carolyn Jones
August 6, 2017

Understanding Cal Grant financial aid for college students: a quick guide

Cal Grants are among the most generous state-funded student aid programs in the nation and can cover entire tuition at CSU and UC.

Larry Gordon
July 27, 2017

Understanding social and emotional learning: a quick guide

Information about social and emotional learning for parents, teachers, administrators and students.

Jane Meredith Adams
July 20, 2017

Understanding California charter schools: a quick guide

Find out how many charters are in California and in the U.S., what the major fault lines are between charter schools and their opponents, and what some of the functions of charters are that make them distinct from traditional public schools.

Mikhail Zinshteyn