Education

Students walk along the bridge leading into campus on Scholars Lane at the University of California Merced campus on Nov. 4, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Higher Education

Debt-free at a tech job: How the powerful UC system lands students at Apple and Google

So that the UC could better develop its academic programs to prepare students for the changing workforce, the UC created a new data tool to show where tens of thousands of alumni work in California and the skills those employers seek.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • July 17, 2025

Two students sit at a round classroom table focused on writing. One is writing on white paper while the other holds a bright orange sheet with notes. A bottle of water and an energy drink sit on the table. A whiteboard with faint writing and a canister of cleaning spray are visible in the background.

Higher Education

It’s not just about cheating. How AI is quietly eroding college students’ networks

Chatbots may give students quick answers when they have questions, but they won’t help students form relationships that matter for college and life success.

By Tara García Mathewson • July 16, 2025

A dimly lit elementary school classroom with a whiteboard displaying vocabulary and grammar lessons written in marker. Above the board, an alphabet banner with illustrated objects runs across the wall. A “MASK REQUIRED” sign is prominently posted. In the foreground, children wearing face masks are partially visible and out of focus, seated at desks. A projector and children's book are seen on a cart near the board, contributing to the classroom setting.

K-12 Education

Heinous, heartbreaking — and expensive. California schools face avalanche of sex abuse claims

A California law took effect in 2020 that dropped the statute of limitations for filing lawsuits, provided a three-year window for victims to file claims and otherwise made it easier for them to sue school districts and counties.

By Carolyn Jones • July 10, 2025

A person in a dark blue police uniform stands before an audience of people in light blue police uniforms. The photo is taken from the back of the room, over the shoulders of the audience, to show the person in front from their point of view.

Higher Education

How much education does a California police officer need? What a new bill proposes

California lawmakers could set new education requirements for police officers, but the bill has critics from all sides — including former Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who authored the state’s watershed 2021 police reform bill.

By Cayla Mihalovich and Adam Echelman • July 8, 2025

Students walk and bike along a sunny path on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, surrounded by trees and campus buildings, with a mountain visible in the background. Green banners read “CAL POLY” and “CELEBRATE DIVERSITY.”

Education

Congress is targeting these California universities in antisemitism hearings

The House Committee on Education and Workforce has included two California universities so far this year on its invite list for hearings on antisemitism. In May, the president of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, outlined several steps the university is taking in response to antisemitism complaints. The chancellor of UC Berkeley will address the committee at its next hearing.

By Jeremy Garza • July 7, 2025

Students line up in the courtyard at Stege Elementary School in Richmond on Feb. 6, 2023. Photo by Shelby Knowles for CalMatters

K-12 Education

Homeless student counts in California are up. Some say that’s a good thing

In the latest state enrollment data released, California had 230,443 homeless students — a 9.3% increase from the previous year.

By Carolyn Jones • July 2, 2025

A lively elementary school classroom is filled with students engaged in various activities. Two children sit across from each other, one reading aloud from a book while the other leans in, listening attentively with a smile. In the background, a teacher assists a student wearing a headscarf at a desk, while other students stand and interact. The walls are covered in colorful educational posters and student artwork, and the classroom is furnished with bookshelves, desks, and storage bins, creating a vibrant learning environment.

K-12 Education

Trump is withholding $800 million from California schools. How kids will be affected

California districts have not received Congressionally appropriated money for after school programs, academic enrichment, English-learner services, teacher professional development and migrant education.

By Tara García Mathewson and Carolyn Jones • July 1, 2025

A football quarterback, dressed in a blue and gold uniform, runs while holding a football as a player from the opposing team tried to block them while also being chased by another player.

Higher Education

What California taxpayers need to know about college athletes’ new school salaries

A watershed legal settlement takes effect today, allowing universities to pay college athletes directly.

By Adam Echelman • July 1, 2025

Health

Will California ban ultra-processed foods in school meals?

The Legislature is considering phasing out chemical additives in school meals linked to health problems. Opponents say the definitions are so broad that it could ban items like tomato sauce and olive oil.

By Kristen Hwang • June 27, 2025

An illustration in pink and dark purple tones that shows the silhouette of a student holding a piece of paper as they stand in the middle of a cyberspace grid. A white paper with highlighted text can be seen in the background behind the student as pink boxes with exclamation points float around.

Higher Education

Costly and unreliable: AI and plagiarism detectors wreak havoc in higher ed

Colleges and universities renew Turnitin subscriptions year after year even though its flawed detectors are expensive and require students to let the company keep their papers forever.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 26, 2025