February 12, 2019

Gov. Newsom names new head of State Board of Education in California

Choice of Linda Darling-Hammond sends the message that Newsom is seeking continuity on the state board.

Louis Freedberg

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

September 27, 2018

California improves access to computer science courses, but still has work to do, according to new research

The Code.org Advocacy Coalition designed nine policies to increase access to computer science classes for all students.

Diana Lambert

September 22, 2018

An urgent call for student leaders

The student position on the State Board of Education is California's most prominent opportunity for a student to participate in improving school systems.

Jeff Camp

July 17, 2018

Oakland charter school approved amid concerns over fiscal impact on district

California Department of Education official calls state's charter school laws outdated and says they are in need of revision.

Theresa Harrington

July 11, 2018

California officials confident they’ve cut deal in dispute over federal education law

State Board also votes to continue exploring a way to measure a school’s impact on student learning. Advocates say a “growth model" will be more precise than the method the state uses now.

Mikhail Zinshteyn And John Fensterwald

May 7, 2018

New science test must be part of California's school accountability system

State must signal importance of science to accelerate implementation of new science standards.

Jill Grace and Vincent Stewart

April 3, 2018

Student activist from Oakland appointed to California’s Board of Education

Oakland Unified junior says protecting undocumented students and their families from deportation is the most important issue to her.

Theresa Harrington

March 29, 2018

Districts must do more to reduce low-income schools' share of inexperienced, ineffective teachers under new federal law

Effectiveness has nothing to do with teachers' impact or performance, as California defines it under the new federal law.

John Fensterwald

February 28, 2018

Forecast for California school climates remains cloudy without good data, advocates say

School districts are trying a variety of strategies aimed at creating safe and welcoming school environments, but there is controversy over the role and frequency of student surveys, and how to use them.

David Washburn

February 15, 2018

Michael Kirst weighs another 4 years on state education board after Gov. Brown departs

The governor also renominated Patricia Rucker and Ting Sun to the state board.

John Fensterwald

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

December 27, 2017

Federal government finds flaws in California’s plan to improve lowest-performing schools

Is state board exercising flexibility or violating the Every Student Succeeds Act?

John Fensterwald

December 3, 2017

24 ideas for improving the Local Control Funding Formula

EdSource sought the advice of experts, advocates and observers; common themes emerged on improving Gov. Jerry Brown's landmark law.

John Fensterwald

November 27, 2017

State board’s next challenge: how to measure school climate, the heartbeat of a school

Study group recommends that districts conduct an annual survey of parents, students and teachers on school safety and students' wellbeing.

John Fensterwald