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K-12 Education

California’s public K-12 schools educate millions amid declining enrollment, teacher shortages and an achievement gap between wealthier and poorer students. We probe what’s working and what isn’t.

Lorena Hernandez whines us her arm to hit a tetherball during recess at Buttonwillow Union School on March 2, 2022. Two months ago students were required to wear masks on the playground. Photo by Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters
Fred Segura, middle, with his three daughters, from left to right, Paloma, 8, Irma, 9, and Almarissa Segura, 14, inside a school bus that Fred drives for the San Antonio Union School District in Lockwood, Calif. . Fred and his daughters travel over 85 miles Monday through Friday each week to work and attend school. Photo by David Rodriguez for CalMatters/ CatchLight Local/ The Californian

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