K-12 Education
Student math scores are abysmal. A new California law requires early testing for skill
A new math test will assess basic math skills for all K-2 students to help identify those who are struggling.
K-12 Education
K-12 Education
Schools were confused about K-12 arts funding. A new law adds clarity
Some school officials were confused about how they could and could not spend their arts education money. A new law provides more guidance.
Education
California K-12 schools with military-style rifles don’t always disclose them as law requires
A 2021 state law mandates schools that own military-grade weapons must disclose them annually. However, a CalMatters investigation has found that the nine K-12 districts in California with these weapons have not been routinely reporting their inventories, renewing their policies, or holding public forums, as required by the law.
Technology
Tech companies are selling kids’ data. A new California law aims to protect their privacy
California prohibits tech companies from selling student data, but loopholes exist. A new law creates stricter rules for how companies gather and sell student data.
K-12 Education
California math scores are far below grade level. This screener will test students’ skills early
Students behind in their math skills would get tutoring so they can catch up.
K-12 Education
California schools are sitting on arts money. A change in law might get them to spend it
The proposed changes aim to allay schools’ apprehension about spending their arts money granted through an initiative voters passed in 2022.
Politics
Why sex abuse survivors and broke school districts are at odds in Legislature’s final days
California counties and school districts have been flooded since 2019 with lawsuits from people who say they were sexually abused as children in schools, foster care and juvenile detention facilities. State lawmakers are struggling to balance counties’ and schools’ financial health with the incalculable cost of survivors’ trauma.
Education
Californians voted to spend $1 billion on K-12 arts. Why are schools returning the money?
Proposition 28, which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2022, sets aside about $1 billion a year for the arts in California public schools.
K-12 Education
‘Kids are actually eating the food’: State expands lunch program that pairs schools with farms
Through the Farm to School program, schools get grant money to obtain fresh, local food; send students on field trips to farms; and send cafeteria workers to culinary academies.
Environment
California pulled the plug on new school air conditioners, leaving $200 million unspent
A program that promised schools upgraded AC systems was cut short in 2024, leaving hundreds of districts with broken systems and no money to fix them.