California Education - CalMatters

The Black Academic Excellence Center at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo on Nov. 2, 2022. Photo by Julie Leopo for CalMatters

Higher Education

Cal Poly SLO enrolls the lowest rate of Black students among all the state’s public universities

by Mikhail Zinshteyn November 28, 2022December 5, 2022

For years, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has enrolled the smallest percentage of Black students among all campuses in the California State University and University of California systems.
Although it’s difficult to pinpoint the reason, the campus attracts few freshman applicants and transfer students, and students describe a racist environment.

Joseph I. Castro, former Fresno State president, during a press conference in 2016. Castro became president of the California University System in 2013, but resigned earlier this year after accusations that he mishandled sexual harassment complaints against a university official while president at Fresno State. Photo by Silvia Flores, The Fresno Bee

Ex-CSU chancellor Castro’s teaching job stirs controversy over ‘retreat rights’

by Oden Taylor November 22, 2022November 30, 2022

“La Memoria de la Tierra,” a mural created by Judith Baca, resides on the north side of Ackerman Union at UCLA in Los Angeles on Nov. 9, 2022. The mural is approximately 80 feet and made up of three 26-foot-long glass panels. Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Are California’s Hispanic Serving Institutions living up to their name?

by Megan Tagami and Matthew Reagan November 17, 2022November 17, 2022

Students make their way to class for the first day of school at Tustin Ranch Elementary School in Tustin on Aug. 12, 2021. Photo by Paul Bersebach, The Orange County Register via AP Photo

Early childhood education

Schools scramble to find teachers as California expands transitional kindergarten

by Elizabeth Aguilera November 2, 2022November 1, 2022

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Universities can’t yank financial aid from students who get private scholarships, new law says

by Alyssa Story November 2, 2022November 1, 2022

Aevin Lee, 2, received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in the arms of his mother, Dr. Jennifer Su, at Children's Hospital Los Angeles on June 21, 2022. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

CDC paves way for California to require school COVID vaccines — but lawmakers have given up for now

by Elizabeth Aguilera October 26, 2022October 27, 2022

State test results show California students overall performed much worse in math and English language arts than pre-pandemic, but a persistent achievement gap didn't worsen, as initially feared. Photo Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

California student test scores plunge — but some achievement gaps narrow. See how your school compares.

by Joe Hong and Erica Yee October 24, 2022October 24, 2022

California is bracing for declines as state officials release student test scores for the first time since the pandemic. Photo by David Rodriguez for The Californian/CatchLight Local

Amid ominous signs, California releases first student test scores since the pandemic

by Joe Hong October 24, 2022October 24, 2022

The UCLA campus in Los Angeles on Feb. 18, 2022. Photo by Raquel Natalicchio for CalMatters

Central American Studies gains popularity on California campuses

by Itzel Luna October 21, 2022October 21, 2022

Students walk through campus at Sacramento City College on Feb. 23, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

What California community college students want in a new chancellor

by Andrea Madison October 17, 2022October 17, 2022