Policy & Finance

Topic

State Education Policy

The coronavirus pandemic 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

September 22, 2022

State delays public release of English, math and science test score results to later this year

Delaying the public release of Smarter Balanced tests taken last spring undermines the urgency of addressing setbacks in learning during the pandemic.

John Fensterwald And Thomas Peele

Commentary

September 19, 2022

Invest in more housing for hardworking college students with kids

Investing in affordable family housing for students will pay dividends for California students and families for generations.

Kenya Abner

Credentialing

September 14, 2022

What you need to know to become a teacher in California | Quick Guide

The teacher shortage prompted California lawmakers to ease testing requirements, waive exam fees and begin new programs to recruit and retain teachers.

Diana Lambert

Commentary

August 23, 2022

To solve our mental health crisis, give more children equal access to play

Many public schools have defunded sports programs, and most offer physical education just a few days a week, reinforcing a pay-to-play youth sports culture with few free and low-cost opportunities at a time when they are most needed.

Renata Simril

State Education Policy

August 23, 2022

Charter schools favored by many parents who switched their children during pandemic, survey finds

Annual California survey of voters and parents describes top education issues.

Emma Gallegos

Commentary

August 22, 2022

Other states, select California districts can inform our comprehensive approach to literacy

"Positive outlier" districts in California are already demonstrating how to successfully improve literacy in our diverse state with its decentralized education system.

Linda Darling-Hammond

Commentary

August 19, 2022

Black students deserve extra funding; this bill would provide it

Assembly Bill 2774 will ensure the lowest performing students are prioritized the same as the other high-needs student groups in the state's funding formula, providing schools with targeted funding to help better support Black students.

Debra Watkins

Commentary

August 18, 2022

What it will take to ensure literacy for all California students

After decades of underfunding its public schools, California's investments in equity and literacy are showing progress.

Linda Darling-Hammond

California's Reading Dilemma

August 17, 2022

A movement rises to change the teaching of reading

Scientists, teachers, and parents battle over the best way to teach reading amid a literacy crisis.

Karen D'Souza

Teachers' Pensions: Who Pays?

August 3, 2022

Teachers’ retirement investments record negative return for first time since Great Recession

Inflation, market volatility, war in Ukraine factor in -1.3% return; a one-year setback, following a record gain the year before, alone won't force an increase in school districts' pension contributions.

John Fensterwald

English Learners

August 1, 2022

California could paint a clearer picture of English learner achievement if new bill passes

The bill would require the state to separate out test scores in English language arts, math and science for subgroups of English learners.

Zaidee Stavely

Math and Science

July 26, 2022

Deep divisions, further delay for California’s math guidelines

Detractors and supporters disagree on whether teaching standards through “big ideas” and creating new high school pathways will achieve more equitable outcomes for all students.

John Fensterwald

Teacher Survey Project

July 13, 2022

California teachers share their challenges and worries: Teaching during Covid

The nonprofit Inverness Institute interviewed veteran teachers about life in the classroom during another difficult year impacted by a pandemic; two principals involved with the study sum up the findings in an interview with EdSource's John Fensterwald.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

July 12, 2022

College and career success begins with K-12 schools

Educators from schools and community colleges, business and community leaders must discard the narrow educational approaches that have failed students for decades and build new ecosystems of learning.

Michael Matsuda

Commentary

July 11, 2022

More teachers, outreach needed to support California's youngest English learners

California can create a national model for expanding educational opportunities for students and crafting groundbreaking policies that serve to properly identify and serve dual language students.