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Topic

Reforms

Current reforms to public education include the new Common Core State Standards for learning, the Local Control Funding Formula for school districts, the rise of charter schools and the growth of partnerships between schools, nonprofits, businesses and other government agencies. You will also find reporting about new initiatives and smaller reforms throughout the EdSource site.
February 20, 2020

Michael Bloomberg has invested heavily in promoting charter schools in California

His backing of charter schools could have an impact on his drive for the Democratic nomination, especially if the race is not decided by the time of the convention.

Louis Freedberg
February 18, 2020

Gov. Newsom’s big bets: community schools, competitive grants and new teacher incentives

The governor proposes $1.5 billion over 5 years on incentives for new teachers and grants managed by a small agency to fix highest poverty schools.

John Fensterwald
February 7, 2020

Less than a third of California students met or exceeded standards on new science test

The results are the first set of scores for a new test aligned with California’s new science standards.

Sydney Johnson
February 5, 2020

Trump revives call for support of ’school choice’ agenda, despite certain rejection in Congress

Call for expanded tax credit program immediately rejected by top education legislator in House.

Louis Freedberg
January 22, 2020

Gov. Newsom, Legislative Analyst disagree on priority for K-12 spending next year

The LAO would spend more money on pension relief and funding formula and less on teacher shortage, community schools.

John Fensterwald
January 21, 2020

California governor joins those wanting to hold school districts more accountable for spending

A new website would let the public see how much any district is — or is not — spending on “high-needs” students.

John Fensterwald
January 17, 2020

Closing a middle school and converting others to K-8 stirs opposition

The school board and others in West Contra Costa Unified did not approve a plan to convert six elementary schools into K-8 schools next year.

Theresa Harrington
January 15, 2020

San Francisco Bay Area parents declare state of emergency over district’s failure to educate black children

Parents want the district to allocate $7.2 million to improve services for the district’s 5,000 African-American students.

Theresa Harrington
January 15, 2020

California Voices: Education leaders speak out on Gov. Newsom's budget proposals

Leaders representing all segments of California's education system share their reactions to the governor’s budget proposals.

EdSource staff
January 9, 2020

New efforts to make school spending in California more transparent 

State board makes it easier to follow the money; two bills would impose even stricter reporting requirements.

John Fensterwald
January 3, 2020

Gavin Newsom's 1st-year K-12 scorecard: good grades on priorities and some incompletes

He forged a compromise to revise California's charter school law and gave districts unexpected help to pay employee pension obligations.

John Fensterwald
December 19, 2019

Chris Steinhauser to retire after 18 years leading Long Beach Unified

He is one of the longest-serving urban superintendents, praised for his collaborative style and his role in improving student achievement.

John Fensterwald
December 5, 2019

Requiring fourth year of high school math will leave more students behind

Many schools serving low-income students already fail to offer all the courses needed for admission to CSU campuses.

Elisha Smith Arrillaga
November 26, 2019

Protesters file excessive force claim against Oakland Unified

Nine district parents and teachers say police injured them during an Oct. 23 board meeting where they were protesting school closures.

Theresa Harrington
November 20, 2019

California Democratic Party says charter schools should have publicly elected boards

The approval of stronger language in the party platform comes as criticism of charter schools mounts among Democratic presidential candidates.

Louis Freedberg