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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!

Quick Guides
January 17, 2023

What you need to become a substitute teacher in California | Quick Guide

Substitute teachers became harder to find after the Covid-19 pandemic closed classrooms, but higher pay and fewer requirements are making the job more attractive.

Diana Lambert
Quick Guides
January 9, 2023

Most homeless students are doubled-up. What does that mean? | Quick Guide

Many California students live doubled-up with other families and friends. Schools need to better identify those students.

Betty Márquez Rosales
Quick Guides
December 12, 2022

10 things California parents should know about transitional kindergarten | Quick Guide

Many districts are beginning to register new students for the coming year, so now is the time to reach out.

Karen D'Souza
Credentialing
September 14, 2022

What you need to know to become a teacher in California | Quick Guide

The teacher shortage prompted California lawmakers to ease testing requirements, waive exam fees and begin new programs to recruit and retain teachers.

Diana Lambert
Quick Guides
August 11, 2022

Basic needs at the California community colleges | Quick Guide

California Community Colleges must now offer a basic needs center at all 115 of its physical campuses. Most centers will offer food and housing support to begin.

Betty Márquez Rosales
Quick Guides
March 29, 2022

Parents’ guide to 504 plans and IEPs: What they are and how they're different

With more students qualifying for special education, understanding the options is crucial for parents as they advocate for their children.

Carolyn Jones
Quick Guides
January 31, 2022

What are the best masks for children to wear at school during the omicron surge? | Quick Guide

Due to the omicron variant's higher transmissibility, medical experts are recommending avoiding cloth masks and surgical masks in favor of higher-quality KN95 or KF94 masks.

Ali Tadayon
Quick Guides
January 5, 2022

New effort aims to count all California homeless students | Quick Guide

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 27 into law recently after researchers estimated the number of homeless students in California has increased during the pandemic.

Betty Márquez Rosales
Quick Guides
November 10, 2021

What California parents need to know about Covid vaccinations for children | Quick Guide

Children 5 and older are now eligible to get a Covid-19 vaccination, but widespread misinformation about it has left parents with questions.

Diana Lambert
Quick Guides
October 11, 2021

New state law puts California’s Juvenile Justice System at a crossroads | Quick Guide

Recent laws have spurred historic changes to the state's juvenile system, where hundreds of young people are incarcerated each year at one of the state's four facilities.

Betty Márquez Rosales
Quick Guides
August 26, 2021

What is independent study in California? | Quick Guide

Independent study is this year's at-home alternative to in-person instruction for parents worried about contracting Covid. How will it work?

John Fensterwald And Sydney Johnson
Quick Guides
August 17, 2021

Pandemic prompts grief support in schools | Quick Guide

An ACLU survey in March found that more than 30% of students said they’d lost someone close to them over the past year.

Betty Márquez Rosales
Quick Guides
July 23, 2021

California K-12 Covid safety practices for the new school year | Q&A

K-12 districts have guidance on how to safely reopen campuses when California schools resume in the fall. Here's what you need to know.

Ali Tadayon
Quick Guides
June 9, 2021

Quick Guide: Ethnic studies requirement coming to California community colleges

California's community colleges plan to require many students to take an ethnic studies class. Here's what you need to know.

Michael Burke
Quick Guides
June 4, 2021

Quick guide: How do college savings accounts work?

Learn more about college savings accounts and state and local proposals to start them for low-income youth.

Ali Tadayon And Betty Márquez Rosales