Policy & Finance

Topic

State Education Policy

The coronavirus pandemic has upended education in California, shifting the focus from a series of major reforms initiated by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2013 that changed how funding was allocated to schools and the accountability systems for schools and districts. Nonetheless, efforts to make California’s systems of education more equitable from cradle to career, continue.

In this section, you will find articles about the legislation and policies that affect California’s public schools and universities.

Testing and Accountability

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.

Sydney Johnson

Coronavirus

April 4, 2021

Quick Guide: California’s plan for getting more kids back to school

After weeks of negotiations, Gov. Newsom and the Legislature reached agreement on a school reopening plan, enacted in Senate and Assembly Bill 86. This Q&A gives you the details of that plan as it evolves.

EdSource staff

Quick Guides

April 4, 2021

Quick Guide: What California’s color-coded county tracking system means for schools

Learn more about the state's tiered system of assessing coronavirus risk and how it relates to schools.

Ali Tadayon

Coronavirus

March 26, 2021

What 3-foot social distance means for reopening of California schools

Some districts will pivot quickly and return to full in-person instruction now; others say they can now start planning for the fall.

Diana Lambert And John Fensterwald

Coronavirus

March 19, 2021

California adopts CDC’s recommendation to reduce social distancing in school to 3 feet

The change could allow more students back to school for in-person instruction at the same time, reducing the need for hybrid instruction.

John Fensterwald

Race and Equity

March 19, 2021

After 8 hours, 250-plus speakers, California board adopts ethnic studies model curriculum

The state board unanimously adopted voluntary guidance for ethnic studies with one addition, clarifying the role of “critical race theory.”

John Fensterwald

Covid: One Year Later

March 18, 2021

Schools chief uses influence to shape policy during pandemic, but lacks power to make big decisions

Thurmond felt pressured by county school superintendents to decree all campuses be closed after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency.

Diana Lambert

Race and Equity

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.

John Fensterwald

State Education Policy

March 16, 2021

San Francisco superintendent's resignation points to ongoing turnover in school leadership

The pandemic heightens regular challenges superintendents face during normal times and adds to tensions with school boards and teachers.

Louis Freedberg

State Education Policy

March 9, 2021

Gov. Newsom touts California as 'getting kids back in the classroom' in State of the State speech

Newsom says there is "nothing more foundational to an equitable society than getting our kids safely back into classrooms," cites major progress in vaccinating school staff.

Louis Freedberg

Testing and Accountability

February 24, 2021

California moves ahead to pursue flexibility waivers for standardized tests this year

The state board will consider if districts can use locally selected tests where Smarter Balanced assessments are not feasible.

Sydney Johnson

Analysis

February 20, 2021

Will reserving vaccines for California teachers break school reopening logjam?

Newsom’s plan to reserve 10% of vaccines for teachers could lead to more schools reopening, but it could take too long to satisfy many parents if teachers insist on being fully immunized before returning