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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.
High-needs students
September 2, 2022

Gov. Newsom quashes bill to provide more funding for Black students

An unstated reason was Prop. 209, banning preferences by race; governor promises more funding somehow for state's lowest performing student group next year

John Fensterwald
Federal Education Policy
June 29, 2022

Charter schools, abundant in California, could be a Supreme Court target

Critics of the Carson v. Makin decision are warning that charter schools could be drawn into the next skirmish over religious expression.

John Fensterwald
School Finance
June 28, 2022

Gov. Newsom strikes deal on state budget: big increase for K-12, plan to expand Cal Grant, too

Compromise includes 13% more for funding formula, extra for community schools, student transportation, school construction, literacy coaches and expansion of Cal Grants.

John Fensterwald And Michael Burke
Commentary
June 22, 2022

Proposed mathematics pathways for California high school students raise equity concerns

California's new mathematics framework must increase access to advanced math but also ensure that all students have the preparation they need for college and careers in STEM fields.

Richard Ford
School Finance
June 22, 2022

California Prop. 13’s 'unjust legacy' detailed in critical study

Study recommends no specific fix to 1978 property tax limit initiative, but the Opportunity Institute and Pivot Learning cite many reasons to consider reforms.

John Fensterwald
School Finance
June 17, 2022

Advocates for community schools support more funding but call for fixes to program

Tight deadlines and rigid qualifications were among the concerns raised by supporters of the state's multi-year community schools initiative

Ali Tadayon
Commentary
June 15, 2022

Students in personalized learning schools deserve equitable funding

Personalized learning offers an alternative to students who don't thrive in traditional classroom settings. These public schools need the same protections against the financial disruptions of pandemic-related enrollment declines as other California schools.

Jeff Rice
Commentary
June 14, 2022

It's time for win-win district and charter relationships to address declining enrollment   

Educating children shouldn’t be a Machiavellian zero-sum game.

Janie Dam
Community Schools & Partnerships
June 10, 2022

How an East Bay school turns into a community school under California's model

Hundreds of campuses are slated to become community schools over the next five years; Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration urges more funding to meet the demand

Ali Tadayon
Commentary
May 23, 2022

Let's advance racial justice through community schools 

Through shared power and decision-making, students, families, community, and educators can co-create relationship-centered schools and lay the foundation for an education system built by and for us all.

Tere Flores and Carl Pinkston 
Statewide Longitudinal Data System
May 19, 2022

Updated state computer system frustrates districts during student testing period

Rollout of CALPADS update with glitches coincides with Smarter Balanced testing, compounding problems; state Department of Education promises fixes.

John Fensterwald
Commentary
May 18, 2022

California must consider rural districts' unique realities for community schools grants

Innovative program that allowed rural districts to collaborate to create and expand community school programs runs into a surprising roadblock.

Julie Boesch and Tim Taylor
Community Schools & Partnerships
May 12, 2022

California set to launch hundreds of community schools with $635 million in grants

The state's "whole child" model stresses collaborating with parents, teachers and community organizations; 265 districts are to receive initial funding.

John Fensterwald
California's Enrollment Rollercoaster
May 2, 2022

Growing suburban Sacramento school districts spared state's declining enrollment

New housing construction in suburbs around Sacramento have saved some school districts in the region from the belt-tightening that comes with declining student enrollment. 

Diana Lambert
Local Control Funding Formula
April 29, 2022

Senate, Assembly agree California schools should receive billions more in unrestricted funding

Districts complain COLA isn't enough to cover their costs and needs; Gov. Newsom to release revised budget, revenue projections by May 15.

John Fensterwald