February 9, 2023

Budget plan, possible cuts, required for West Contra Costa Unified to settle contract talks with teachers union

The Contra Costa County Office of Education downgraded West Contra Costa Unified's budget certification, requiring the district to develop a plan to cut costs

Ali Tadayon

September 19, 2022

An island of reading for youth in the California juvenile justice system

A partnership between Alameda County's library, office of education, and probation department has led to a colorful, culturally inclusive library inside the county juvenile hall staffed with permanent staff who try to teach youth a love of reading and learning.

Betty Márquez Rosales

August 16, 2022

Healthier options on the menu as California begins providing free meals for all students

California districts are using increased state and local funding to improve the free school meals offered to all students

Ali Tadayon

May 9, 2022

Bay Area schools see families leave cities, flock to suburbs

While the Bay Area had modest school enrollment growth over the past 20 years, suburban districts saw an influx of new students while city districts lost thousands as families sought affordable housing.

Ali Tadayon

March 15, 2022

End of school mask mandate brings relief, lingering concerns

The end of California's mask mandate for schools Monday meant students and school staff no longer have to wear masks to school, but many still did.

Diana Lambert, Carolyn Jones, Ali Tadayon, Emma Gallegos, And Kate Sequeira

March 8, 2022

How one California elementary school sees success after overhauling its reading program

Nystrom Elementary ditched a popular, yet criticized curriculum and put a greater focus on phonics to improve students' reading skills.

Ali Tadayon

February 9, 2022

Oakland students, teachers, community to fight 11 school closures, mergers, reductions  

Students, teachers and parents vow to fight the closures, rally state to forgive Oakland Unified's debt

Ali Tadayon

October 18, 2021

California districts anticipate major hits to their 2022-23 budgets as enrollments drop

School districts seeing major enrollment and attendance drops fear substantial funding cuts in the 2022-23 school year.

Ali Tadayon

October 4, 2021

Inside one California school's approach to reading as a 'civil right'

Nystrom Elementary School in Richmond is revamping its literacy program this year with a greater emphasis on phonics both in lessons and one-on-one intervention, as well as on classroom discussion and grade-level, culturally relevant texts.

Ali Tadayon

September 22, 2021

East Bay middle school renamed to honor local 100-year-old park ranger and activist

Renowned civil rights activist and National Park ranger Betty Reid Soskin spent her 100th birthday at an El Sobrante middle school that renamed itself after her.

Ali Tadayon

June 21, 2021

How a California middle school’s history project led to name change

A West Contra Costa Unified middle school is moving to change its name after taking a critical look at its namesake — a Franciscan missionary.

Ali Tadayon

May 13, 2021

Students thrive in Oakland Unified’s health career pathway, study finds

Students in the health career pathway, which provides hands-on training, had higher graduation rates and were more likely to enroll in college.

Carolyn Jones And Louis Freedberg

May 4, 2021

Hundreds of thousands of California students won’t take statewide standardized tests this spring

California released updated guidance for school districts deciding whether Smarter Balanced or a local assessment is their more viable option.

Sydney Johnson

April 30, 2021

In face of anxieties, West Contra Costa Unified commits to full in-person instruction in fall

District officials approved an “action statement” to reassure doubtful families that all students will be allowed back to campuses next school year.

Ali Tadayon

April 23, 2021

New superintendent for West Contra Costa Unified has concrete ideas for closing achievement gaps

Kenneth “Chris” Hurst brings 23 years of experience, having worked as a teacher, principal, associate superintendent and superintendent.

Ali Tadayon