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State Education Policy

In passing the Local Control Funding Formula in 2013, the Legislature shifted decision-making back to local districts and steered more money to districts with higher proportions of low-income children and English learners. Proposition 98, adopted in 1988, sets the overall yearly level of K-12 and community college spending through a complex formula tied to the growth in the state economy.

September 13, 2017

University of California hints at tuition increase, starts review of overturned admissions

Tuition went up 2.7 percent to $12,630 for in-state undergraduates this fall, the first hike in six years. Officials say University of California system may need more revenue for next year.

Mikhail Zinshteyn
September 13, 2017

California gets waiver from administering old science tests, but only for last year

Students will take pilot tests based on new science standards.

Louis Freedberg and Carolyn Jones
September 12, 2017

California plan puts state on the right track to achieve academic goals for its students

Plan ensures maximum flexibility for California to continue its ground-breaking educational reforms.

Gary Toebben
September 12, 2017

California's education plan must be more transparent about student performance

State can support schools and districts without shame and blame while also showing clearly how students are doing.

Samantha Tran
September 11, 2017

California's education plan affirms commitment to local control

California's ESSA plan meets the federal government’s requirements while affirming the state's commitment to local control that allows teachers, principals and superintendents to meet the needs of our diverse students.

Michael Kirst
September 10, 2017

Bilingual education advocates celebrate first new policy for English language learners in 20 years

The State Board of Education adopted the first new language policy in 20 years — the English Learner Roadmap, an online resource for school districts that will help guide curriculum, instruction and standards for the 1.4 million English learners in the state’s public schools.

Ashley Hopkinson
September 7, 2017

'Friendly critic' of California's school district reforms issues warning

Michael Fullan says the state has pursued the 'right drivers' with, so far, a flawed implementation.

John Fensterwald
September 2, 2017

Lawmaker to request state audit of districts' compliance with funding formula

Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi says data will show if funding is really spent on English learners and low-income students.

John Fensterwald
August 31, 2017

College leaders urge changes to California's Higher Education master plan to improve access and affordability

The first of five hearings around the state starts to examine the 1960 plan that governs the missions of UC, CSU and community colleges. Legislators say it is time for some changes but that it could take years to develop concrete reforms.

Larry Gordon
August 30, 2017

State could reap big economic benefits with later school start time

An 8:30 a.m. start time for middle and high schoolers could add $10.2 billion to California's economy within a decade, according to a RAND study.

Theresa Harrington
August 28, 2017

With multiple challenges, rural schools warrant far more attention

Educators in California's rural schools face challenges that are different but just as daunting as those of their urban counterparts.

Carl Cohn
August 25, 2017

Understanding the Common Core State Standards in California: A quick guide

California remains strongly committed to Common Core standards in math and English language arts, which focus on critical thinking and problem-solving. The standards have been adopted by more than 40 states.

Theresa Harrington
August 24, 2017

National group sharply criticizes state's plan for Every Student Succeeds Act

The state board says the report failed to look at total effort to help schools and hold them accountable.

John Fensterwald
August 20, 2017

Dyslexia, once the reading disability that shall not be named, comes into its own in California

New California Dyslexia Guidelines are meant to improve how reading is taught to all students by all teachers, not just reading specialists.

Jane Meredith Adams
August 17, 2017

California's public universities struggle with rising college eligibility

Far more students are now eligible to enroll at UC and CSU, without a parallel increase in the universities' ability to admit more students.

Louis Freedberg