Topics State Board of Education

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.

Louis Freedberg And Alexander Montero

Testing and Accountability

November 4, 2020

California to consider shorter Smarter Balanced tests this spring

The State Board of Education will vote this week on whether to shorten the state’s annual standardized tests in math and English language arts.

Sydney Johnson

Race and Equity

October 1, 2020

Gov. Newsom vetoes requirement for ethnic studies course in high school

The governor said he favors the concept, but disagreements over the content for the course's model curriculum should be resolved first.

John Fensterwald

State Board of Education

September 11, 2020

Gov. Newsom names attorney for dual role as adviser, state education board executive director

Allen has been a civil rights lawyer and deputy education policy director. He’ll juggle two jobs serving both Newsom and the state board.

John Fensterwald

Curriculum

August 1, 2020

New draft ethnic studies curriculum for California students issued after a year of study

The revision stresses inclusion but keeps focus on four ethnic/racial groups: African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans and Native Americans.