April 24, 2023

It's time to stop stalling action on the state math framework

The debates over math instruction have been mired in misinformation and marred by melodrama — moving the conversation further and further away from the students and educators who so clearly need updated, improved instructional strategies for math.

Rachel Ruffalo and Martha Hernandez

April 19, 2023

Senate Education Committee supports bill setting deadline for release of statewide test results

Senate committee gives bipartisan support to bill requiring release of state test scores by Oct. 15.

John Fensterwald And Thomas Peele

December 9, 2022

Lawsuit asserts California districts illegally charge summer school fees

The lawsuit by Public Counsel said that for-fee courses offered by district-affiliated foundations violate students' constitutional right to a free education.

John Fensterwald

November 16, 2022

Voters reelected Tony Thurmond; now he needs to keep his promises on literacy

California needs to be screening all K-2 students for dyslexia and should also mandate that districts use literacy curriculum based on the science of reading.

Megan Bacigalupi

November 7, 2022

New biography examines Michael Kirst's impact on public education in California and beyond

Kirst , who was president of the State Board of Education for all four of Jerry Brown’s terms as governor, co-authored the Local Control Funding Formula.

John Fensterwald

June 30, 2022

Nearly 1 out of 5 classes in California taught by underprepared teachers

A new state database of teacher assignments shows that 17% of K-12 classes in 2020-21 were taught by teachers without the credential or training to teach the course.

Diana Lambert, Daniel J. Willis, And Yuxuan Xie

May 18, 2022

California must consider rural districts' unique realities for community schools grants

Innovative program that allowed rural districts to collaborate to create and expand community school programs runs into a surprising roadblock.

Julie Boesch and Tim Taylor

May 12, 2022

California set to launch hundreds of community schools with $635 million in grants

The state's "whole child" model stresses collaborating with parents, teachers and community organizations; 265 districts are to receive initial funding.

John Fensterwald

March 18, 2022

California revises new math framework to keep backlash at bay

Drafters of revision tempered language, reiterated local control of 8th grade Algebra and reemphasized high-level math options are for all students.

John Fensterwald

November 5, 2021

One district's faulty data shouldn't drive California's math policy

California's 2022 revision of the mathematics framework should be where we come together to improve on what actually works — and be based on peer-reviewed data.

Seeyew Mo

October 4, 2021

How California's commitment to safety is leading us out of the pandemic

The history of pandemics illustrates the importance of continued vigilance.

Linda Darling-Hammond

September 10, 2021

California will give a short version of its standardized math and English tests next spring

State Board agrees to cut as much as 2 hours from lengthy Smarter Balanced assessments; parents won't receive as many details as in past.

John Fensterwald

September 1, 2021

California leads the way on safe school reopening

The surest path to safe and full in-person instruction throughout the school year is a strong emphasis on these reliable prevention measures: vaccines, masks, testing, tracing, and ventilation.

Linda Darling-Hammond

May 20, 2021

California math curriculum spurs new controversy about accelerated learning

Voluntary guidance for math instruction faces criticism from parents saying it stunts potential for students in advanced math pathways.

Sydney Johnson

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