Topics State Education Policy

October 16, 2018

Bay Area district faces challenges in attempt to shut down a charter school

District leaders hope state committee reviewing charter school laws will look at grounds for revoking charters and financial impact on districts.

October 11, 2018

A future in flux: what next for the California Department of Education?

Without a lot more money, the next state superintendent of public instruction must clarify the department's role under local control.

October 11, 2018

California Department of Education limited in ability to help districts improve, report says

Louis Freedberg And John Fensterwald

September 30, 2018

Gov. Brown vetoes bill to let districts give SAT or ACT as 11th grade test

Dozens of districts are offering the tests at their own expense already, because scores on SAT and ACT, not Smarter Balanced, are what matters to high school juniors.

September 30, 2018

The case for spending a lot more on California schools

Two panels of teachers and principals were asked to design minimal staffing, programs and resources to meet state expectations for educating all students in California. Their finding: Add $22 billion to the tab.

John Fensterwald

September 27, 2018

California’s persistent teacher shortage fueled by attrition, high demand, say newly released studies

The teacher shortage has worsened in recent years as state funding for education improved and districts began lowering class sizes and bringing back programs, increasing the demand for teachers, according to new studies.

Diana Lambert

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 23, 2018

Newsom's 'cradle-to-career' education pledge will require sweeping changes in California

California's likely next governor has yet to spell out how much implementing his strategy will cost.

Karin Fischer

September 18, 2018

California governor signs bill that could yield millions for Oakland and Inglewood schools

Two districts facing budget deficits get state budget lifeline, but only if they make changes.

Theresa Harrington

September 17, 2018

Multifaceted reforms needed to reach California’s education goals, research project finds

Getting Down to Facts II finds strong support for education reforms but also obstacles to student achievement and a need for more funding.

John Fensterwald

September 17, 2018

Essential Guide to Getting Down to Facts II

Here are the take-aways from the studies on special education, funding needs, a teacher shortage, a data deficit, student mental health local control's unmet potential – and more.