June 20, 2018

Quick Guide: Tuition-free college in California

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

Nico Savidge

April 25, 2018

Quick Guide: What does California's superintendent of public instruction do?

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

Quick Guide: Voting for young people explained

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

Quick Guide: Understanding California education department's role in state's charter schools

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

George White

November 12, 2017

Quick Guide: Understanding how schools serve homeless children in California

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

Carolyn Jones

September 5, 2017

Quick Guide: Understanding DACA and education in California

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

Quick Guide: Understanding the Common Core State Standards in California

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

Quick Guide: Understanding transitional kindergarten in California

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

Quick Guide: What it means when a school district declares itself a 'safe haven' or 'sanctuary'

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

Quick Guide: Understanding Cal Grant financial aid for college students

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

Quick Guide: Understanding social and emotional learning

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

Jane Meredith Adams

July 20, 2017

Quick Guide: Understanding California charter schools

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

May 25, 2017

No high school diploma? You've got options!

This EdSource guide offers advice and links to resources for students who did not graduate from high school.

Susan Frey