Topics State Board of Education

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.

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.

March 18, 2022

California revises new math framework to keep backlash at bay

Drafters of revision tempered language, reiterated local control of 8th grade Algebra and reemphasized high-level math options are for all students.

November 5, 2021

One district's faulty data shouldn't drive California's math policy

California's 2022 revision of the mathematics framework should be where we come together to improve on what actually works — and be based on peer-reviewed data.

October 4, 2021

How California's commitment to safety is leading us out of the pandemic

The history of pandemics illustrates the importance of continued vigilance.

September 10, 2021

California will give a short version of its standardized math and English tests next spring

State Board agrees to cut as much as 2 hours from lengthy Smarter Balanced assessments; parents won't receive as many details as in past.

September 1, 2021

California leads the way on safe school reopening

The surest path to safe and full in-person instruction throughout the school year is a strong emphasis on these reliable prevention measures: vaccines, masks, testing, tracing, and ventilation.

May 20, 2021

California math curriculum spurs new controversy about accelerated learning

Voluntary guidance for math instruction faces criticism from parents saying it stunts potential for students in advanced math pathways.

May 4, 2021

Hundreds of thousands of California students won’t take statewide standardized tests this spring

California released updated guidance for school districts deciding whether Smarter Balanced or a local assessment is their more viable option.

May 3, 2021

California state board likely to adopt long-awaited ‘student growth model’ to measure test scores

The new method of tracking individual students' Smarter Balanced scores should provide a more useful measure of schools' and districts' progress.

April 8, 2021

Local assessments an option if Smarter Balanced tests ‘not viable,’ U.S. education officials affirm

California state officials have not yet outlined in detail what conditions must exist for a district to select an alternative assessment.

April 2, 2021

Local assessments an option if statewide tests aren't viable during pandemic, California officials signal

California’s plan would still offer Smarter Balanced assessments in math and English language arts, the California Science Test, as well as tests for English learners.

March 17, 2021

A final vote, after many rewrites, for California's controversial ethnic studies curriculum

The state model curriculum will provide guidelines, but districts will face the hard decisions on what and how to teach ethnic studies.

January 14, 2021

California school officials push for standardized testing waiver amid Covid-19 spike

California education officials voted to shorten annual tests in math and reading after federal officials said waivers would not be available in 2021.

December 24, 2020

Momentum to offer more in-person public school instruction in California comes to a halt

An EdSource survey of the state’s 58 counties shows most California students are learning online, and many districts that had not reopened for face-to-face instruction are postponing their plans, if only temporarily, during current health crisis.