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.

September 10, 2019

California’s charter schools soon to enter an uneasy era

School districts will be able to cite an adverse fiscal impact to deny a charter school application, but not without making a strong case.

John Fensterwald

September 6, 2019

Q&A with Michael Kirst: Single rating for schools ‘just too simplistic’

Former State Board of Education president says that there is strong support in California for the California School Dashboard.

Louis Freedberg

September 5, 2019

California can be a model for teacher-led change

Pomona Unified is rethinking professional learning in light of California’s Local Control Funding Formula.

Barnett Berry, Joseph Bishop and Lori Nazareno

September 4, 2019

Gov. Newsom, legislative leaders agree on certification for all charter school teachers

California charter school teachers may soon have to get the same background checks and credentials as teachers in regular public schools.

Diana Lambert

August 29, 2019

Governor, lawmakers agree on new controls on California charter schools

School districts could consider the need for a new charter school and its financial impact; charters will keep their right of appeal.

John Fensterwald

August 26, 2019

California science teachers offer more input on new classroom materials

A new rubric for science textbooks aims to help teachers understand the state standards while picking out new materials.

Sydney Johnson

August 20, 2019

Amid tensions statewide, an embattled California charter school's quest ends badly

Promise Academy had a partnership with the Tech Museum; its fight with San Jose Unified mirrors conflicts statewide over charter schools.

John Fensterwald

August 19, 2019

Support grows nationwide for paying teachers more

A poll by the journal Education Next finds most people favor more federal spending on education and free college tuition.

John Fensterwald

August 19, 2019

Struggling California school opens with fresh paint, new teachers and renewed hope

What's underway at this East Bay school could help other struggling California schools.

Ashley A. Smith

August 13, 2019

We must disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline

Students who are suspended from school are less likely to graduate from high school and more likely to be arrested and incarcerated.

Nancy Skinner

August 8, 2019

Smaller classes, more novice teachers: the 'tradeoff‘ for low-income California schools

A new study overcomes challenges from a lack of transparency to compare schools' spending under the Local Control Funding Formula.

John Fensterwald

August 5, 2019

Donations help teachers’ dreams come true in Oakland, across the country

DonorsChoose.org matches donors, foundations and businesses to teachers throughout the country to provide supplies and other needed resources.

Theresa Harrington

July 31, 2019

Recognizing regional costs in school funding formula is both equitable and affordable

Current formula hurts children from low-income families in high-cost regions.

Jennifer Bestor

July 30, 2019

LA Unified’s spending and accountability plan should be rejected and rewritten, says advocates’ complaint

Public Advocates argues the district doesn’t show how $1.2 billion in extra funding will benefit English learners and low-income students.

John Fensterwald

July 25, 2019

Dissent within statewide task force adds tension to California’s charter school debate

There's full agreement on 4 proposals but anger among some task force members over 7 proposals passed by a narrow majority as a package.