February 21, 2019

California charter schools facing new oversight under fast track legislation

Senate Bill 126, which was passed in the Senate Feb. 21, would require that California charter school boards comply with the same open meeting, conflict-of-interest and disclosure laws as district school boards, including holding public board meetings, opening records to the public upon request and ensuring board members don’t have a financial interest in contracts on which they vote.

Diana Lambert

January 29, 2019

Bay Area district and charter schools strut their stuff side by side in effort to attract students

West Contra Costa Unified schools and charter schools participate together in first-ever education fair to help educate parents about their options.

Theresa Harrington

September 7, 2018

California State Board of Education denies Rocketship charter school expansion bid

Some California State Board of Education members questioned Rocketship's capacity to expand, citing concerns about finances and educational programs.

Theresa Harrington

August 1, 2018

Many charter schools fail to disclose spending on low-income students, report says

Out of 70 LCAPs selected, Public Advocates couldn’t find 27 online and most of the 43 reviewed lacked key spending data and evidence of parent involvement.

John Fensterwald

April 26, 2018

Bay Area district offers K-8 options to help keep students from leaving the district

West Contra Costa Unified, which already has two K-8 schools, plans to expand three more elementary schools to K-8 starting in the fall.

Theresa Harrington

February 13, 2018

Understanding California education department's role in state's charter schools: A quick guide

The state charter schools division advises the state board on charter school issues and provides grants to schools.

George White

February 1, 2018

Kickboxing and Kundalini: Part of a novel approach to reducing charter school teacher attrition

A Los Angeles charter school network creates a wellness program to lower teacher stress and boost teacher retention.

George White

January 22, 2018

LA’s choice: In charter wars, board members say they will seek bridge builder as next schools chief

For the L.A. Unified board, outgoing superintendent may be the model for a successor.

George White

January 21, 2018

Education activist launches new school accountability campaign

Activist Ben Austin founded the Kids Coalition to help parents and students obtain more input into the educational policies of the Los Angeles Unified School District

George White

October 5, 2017

Most California voters polled back private school vouchers for low-income kids

But support shrinks, with Democrats opposed, to idea of giving government subsidies for religious or private schools to all parents, regardless of income.

John Fensterwald

August 29, 2017

LA Unified pursuing path from ​conflict to district-charter collaboration in how it shares space

The district is seeking to ease conflicts over a state law that requires it to share available space with charter schools.

George White