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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 18, 2019

California students may not be ready for new science test

Although students will begin taking the California Science Test in March, most school districts have yet to approve textbooks or materials aligned to the new standards adopted six years ago by the State Board of Education. Still, federal law is requiring California to begin testing this year.

Diana Lambert
February 6, 2019

California quietly publishes list of 781 lowest-performing schools

Convinced that stigmatizing “bad schools” and dictating improvements didn't work, state officials are counting on district-led solutions to low achievement.

John Fensterwald
February 5, 2019

Gov. Newsom asks to review impact of California charter schools on district finances

United Teachers of Los Angeles questions the need for the panel, and says an "immediate cap" on charter schools is "urgently necessary."

Louis Freedberg And Mikhail Zinshteyn
January 30, 2019

LA Unified, teachers still face challenges over contract and charter school moratorium

L.A. Unified's school board and UTLA have ratified a contract, but L.A. County Superintendent Debra Duardo is skeptical the district can pay for its promises, and the Legislature may not agree to a charter school moratorium.

John Fensterwald
January 29, 2019

Quality must be at the heart of expanding early childhood education in California

While access has to early childhood education has improved, quality still varies across the state.

Meera Mani
January 24, 2019

Planned school closures in Oakland Unified have parents, teachers and community members on edge

Oakland Unified faces a budget deficit, in part because students are choosing charter and private schools. The district enrolls only 58 percent of the nearly 63,000 school-age children who live in Oakland.

Theresa Harrington
January 23, 2019

Building a system of support for California students — from the ground up

Partnerships and collaboration are key to achieving school improvement goals.

Tom Armelino
January 17, 2019

California does not have to start from scratch in building new education data system

Data system can connect information from K-12 to college and beyond but must be useful and easy to use.

Brad C. Phillips
January 8, 2019

Michael Kirst's parting advice: more teacher and principal training is critical to success of local control

In an exit interview, retiring state board President Michael Kirst urges more attention to professional development for teachers and principals, discusses the need for more school funding, an expanded school database and a new agency focused on children's needs.

John Fensterwald
January 7, 2019

State board of education president, and governor’s ally, leaves mark on California education

Michael Kirst has helped lead the state through significant education reforms.

Dick Jung
January 6, 2019

Consistent to the end, Jerry Brown says it's all about teachers and students

Brown has been remarkably consistent on key education issues throughout his governorship.

Louis Freedberg
January 4, 2019

Restorative justice reduces suspensions in elementary grades but not middle school, study shows

Many educators say restorative justice has transformed school climates. Others say it is over-hyped. A new study by the RAND Corp. lends support to both sides.

David Washburn
January 1, 2019

California education issues to watch in 2019 — and predictions of what will happen

Place your bets: curbs on charter schools, passage of universal preschool, more money for K-12, more teacher strikes and the resignation of Betsy DeVos; an untested governor and volatile president may affect the odds.

John Fensterwald, Yuxuan Xie, And Justin Allen
December 10, 2018

Public education must promote participation in democratic process

Civic engagement by young people strengthens the social fabric and our democracy, authors say.

Henry A. J. Ramos and Eric C. Abrams
November 28, 2018

California school districts to get ‘wake-up call’ with new absenteeism measures

At least 40 percent of California school districts and charter schools have rates of chronic absence in grades K-8 that are high or very high based on new performance measures that will be unveiled next month.

David Washburn