Topics State Board of Education

November 19, 2019

California must build the capacity of its public universities to admit more computer science majors

The state is promoting computer science in K-12 schools, but UC and CSU colleges lack bandwidth to meet the demand.

Trish Boyd Williams and Sathya Narayanan

November 6, 2019

State audit finds education money not serving high-needs students, calls for changes in funding law

After examining three districts' spending, State Auditor Elaine Howle calls for tighter controls over Local Control Funding Formula.

October 31, 2019

Shorter, clearer (but maybe not more transparent) school accountability plan coming

The state board will deliver an LCAP template that will be easier to read, but it probably still won't be easy to follow the money.

October 11, 2019

For better insights into California's new test results, look at achievement over time

Analytical tools that are available but not used can help schools better understand how to improve student performance.

October 10, 2019

How did students at your child’s school do on Smarter Balanced tests?

Readers can access results for California’s Smarter Balanced tests taken by students in the spring in nearly 10,000 school statewide.

September 19, 2019

California needs time to get ethnic studies curriculum right

The debate over whether ethnic studies is an appropriate and valuable course for high school students was settled long ago.

September 16, 2019

California’s widely criticized ethnic studies plan to be revised

Critics said the original proposal was politically biased and omitted the American experiences of some ethnic and religious groups.

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.

August 23, 2019

California proposal requiring ethnic studies for diploma delayed

José Medina will bring back Assembly Bill 331 next year, after there has been time to redraft the controversial ethnic studies curriculum.

July 23, 2019

Plan to expose all students to physics missing one element — teachers

As California schools move to implement new science standards, there will be an increased demand for teachers in a subject area where there is already a severe shortage.

July 8, 2019

California may create 5th year high school graduation rate

The new rate will credit districts for helping non-graduating seniors to earn a diploma the next year. It would be combined with the 4-year grad rate on the School Dashboard.

June 7, 2019

Gov. Newsom’s task force recommends more discretion to deny charter schools

The group reached a consensus on giving school districts the power to consider the “saturation” by and the academic need for charter schools.

May 14, 2019

State budget proposal would fund computer science coordinator, broadband expansion

Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing $15 million to expand broadband internet to more schools and an additional $1 million to hire a state computer science coordinator as a “down payment” on a comprehensive plan to provide access to computer science classes to all California students.

Diana Lambert

May 8, 2019

California moves to get more K-12 students into computer science classes

More California K-12 students at all grade levels could have access to computer science classes if schools implement a plan unanimously approved by the State Board of Education Wednesday.

Diana Lambert

May 1, 2019

After years of avoidance, time to take on challenges posed by California charter schools

Early backer of charter law says no easy answers to issues raised by charter school expansion in the state.