July 15, 2021

California moves to adopt historic $6 billion broadband plan

The bill will enable local governments and nonprofits to bypass private companies and build their own broadband infrastructure.

Sydney Johnson

June 7, 2021

California schools move ahead with fall distance learning plans despite limitations

Parents and education advocacy groups are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to extend distance learning provisions for the upcoming school year.

Sydney Johnson

May 17, 2021

Summer school plans hinge on teacher energy

California school districts have plenty of money for robust summer school programs this year, but teachers may just be too tired to sign up.

Diana Lambert

May 14, 2021

A California program spent millions on devices for distance learning. Here’s where it went

The vast majority of rural California students now have access to computers at home, but thousands still can't connect to the internet.

Sydney Johnson And Daniel J. Willis

May 14, 2021

Map: California Chromebook distribution during Covid-19

Explore Chromebook distribution during Covid-19 at California school districts with this interactive map.

Yuxuan Xie

May 10, 2021

Students, community organizations ask judge to order mental health services, internet access

The lawsuit argues top education officials must monitor districts to see that billions in Covid relief address students' pressing needs.

John Fensterwald

February 19, 2021

California students watch and learn through hands-on projects as Mars rover lands

Teachers have crafted weeks and even months-long lessons culminating with the historic Mars rover landing on Feb. 18.

Sydney Johnson

October 27, 2020

Academic testing looks very different in California during distance learning

To assess students during distance learning, teachers are relying on informal check-ins, open notes and webcams to monitor a student’s behavior.

Sydney Johnson

October 15, 2020

Up to 1 million California students may still lack connectivity during distance learning

State leaders struggle to pinpoint how many students remain unconnected, and fear widening inequality as distance learning continues.

Sydney Johnson

August 26, 2020

On or off? California schools weigh webcam concerns during distance learning

Some teachers report less engagement with cameras off, but anxiety, tech glitches and privacy concerns could keep some students from turning them on.

Sydney Johnson

August 17, 2020

Millions of students — and their teachers — embark on vast experiment with distance learning

Distance learning is not a mode of instruction most parents, students, teachers and administrators would have chosen in the absence of the pandemic.

Louis Freedberg

August 14, 2020

Pressure is on to close the digital divide under California governor’s executive order

The governor wants to reimagine the state’s Broadband Council and ramp up efforts to connect all students to technology during distance learning.

Sydney Johnson

August 13, 2020

Oakland Unified opens virtually with thousands of students lacking computers and hotspots

A citywide campaign raised $12.5 million to provide for low income students, but the devices have not yet arrived due to a backlog.

Theresa Harrington

August 13, 2020

Ask a reporter: Back to school in California during Covid-19

EdSource reporters and readers met Wednesday in a virtual town hall to discuss what education will look like this fall in California. 

Sydney Johnson

August 11, 2020

Some California districts, teachers struggle to agree on distance learning

The Legislature set minimum hours but left it to districts and unions to define instruction, engagement and set the length of a school day.

John Fensterwald