March 10, 2023

Layoffs for next year up for vote by West Contra Costa Unified school board

The district is proposing to lay off a yet-to-be-determined number of school workers next year, leaving union leaders confused.

Ali Tadayon

March 9, 2023

Can common ground be found on teaching reading in California?

A new paper aims to find consensus about literacy curriculum for English language learners and other students and early screeners for reading.

Zaidee Stavely

March 8, 2023

The Legislature can — and should — pull the plug on ethnic studies

California’s ethnic studies graduation law can be suspended without further legislative action under the bill’s own terms, which state the requirement becomes operative “only upon an appropriation of funds by the Legislature.”

Tammi Rossman-Benjamin 

March 2, 2023

West Contra Costa Unified braces for more major budget cuts

West Contra Costa Unified will have to cut almost $20 million from its 2024-25 budget in order to remain fiscally solvent, according to a plan approved Wednesday.

Ali Tadayon

March 2, 2023

Legislative analyst opposes Newsom’s plan for more funding to high-poverty schools

State auditor says the priority should be fixing funding formula to make spending in high-poverty schools more transparent, not adding $300 million with an “equity multiplier.”

John Fensterwald

February 28, 2023

Biden’s plan to forgive student loans may be in jeopardy after Supreme Court arguments

Conservative majority on U.S. Supreme Court expressed doubts about canceling $400 billion in student loan debt.

Michael Burke

February 28, 2023

Proposed constitutional amendment would make state superintendent of public instruction an appointed position

A proposed constitutional amendment could make the superintendent of public instruction an appointed position, instead of an elected one.

Diana Lambert

February 24, 2023

California sinks millions into teacher residency programs, but many can't afford to enroll

Teacher residency programs, which offer a year of clinical practice in the classroom and small stipends, are losing enrollment to internships with salaries and benefits.

Diana Lambert

February 22, 2023

Orange Unified accused of 'full ambush' to fire superintendent; did it violate state's open meeting law?

A citizen complaint demands that the school board hold a repeat, legal meeting.

John Fensterwald

February 21, 2023

Arts education funding in California: How will Proposition 28 roll out?

Arts education could be an engine to spark family engagement in the school system, experts say.

Karen D'Souza

February 16, 2023

Interim superintendent of Orange Unified quits after a month in the post

Orange Unified School District school board fired its superintendent; interim leader resigns saying district focus is no longer the students.

Thomas Peele

February 13, 2023

We need stronger accountability to fulfill the equity promise of California’s school funding system

Ten years into California's new Local Control Funding Formula, students are still not getting the resources and support promised by the law.

Guillermo Mayer and Christopher J. Nellum

February 6, 2023

Bilingual students do better on tests than native English speakers. Why?

Some researchers say the bar to be considered proficient in English is so high that only students who perform well can be reclassified.

Zaidee Stavely

February 3, 2023

CSU’s housing grants aim to prevent rent crises among students

CSU students now have access to housing grants if they're struggling to pay rent, thanks to a $10 million systemwide increase in state funding for basic needs.

Betty Márquez Rosales

February 1, 2023

California ends plans for kids’ Covid vaccine mandate

The end of the state's Covid-19 state of emergency this month effectively ends plans to require kids to be vaccinated against the virus.

Diana Lambert