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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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

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

April 25, 2022

A new chapter for charter schools in California as enrollment drops for first time in 3 decades

With California charter school enrollment declining for the first time in three decades, operators and funders look to new areas of the state for future growth.

John Fensterwald

March 21, 2022

We must focus on equity as California tackles declining enrollment

As California policymakers grapple with the fiscal implications of declining school enrollment, they must seize the opportunity to address equity.

Robert Manwaring

March 6, 2022

Every school can, and should, be a community school

Nearly $3 billion in grants from the California Community Schools Partnership Program provide a unique opportunity for schools to work with families and communities to turn their school into a vibrant community school.

Hayin Kimner and Martin J. Blank