Education

A group of young children gather around a table under a canopy, learning how to plant seeds. Two children wearing matching pink unicorn shirts and sunglasses watch closely as an adult hands out small pots. Another child in a purple outfit handles planting materials, while a woman leans in to guide them. Soil and seed packets are scattered across the table.

Education

Head Start gets a reprieve from Trump budget cuts, but the fight isn’t over

Head Start staff and advocates launched a nationwide campaign to save the program, which Trump eliminated in his budget draft.

By Carolyn Jones • May 8, 2025

A person with medium-length locs sits peacefully on a large mossy rock in a grassy, wooded area. They wear a light gray sweater and a patterned skirt, with jewelry including turquoise earrings and a pendant necklace. Trees and wildflowers fill the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Mental Health

Many Californians can’t get mental health help. Is it too hard to become a therapist?

Despite efforts to increase the number of mental health providers, many students say the training requirements are onerous and costly.

By Adam Echelman • May 7, 2025

A close-up of a student holding an open book at a classroom desk, with other students reading in the background. Some students wear face masks, and the classroom walls are decorated in bright colors. Books and school supplies are scattered across the desks.

K-12 Education

The ‘science of reading’ won’t be required in California schools, at least for now

The original proposal would have mandated phonics instruction in K-12 classrooms. The latest version makes that optional.

By Carolyn Jones • April 30, 2025

A group of people participate in a demonstration outdoors, holding signs in support of transgender rights. One sign reads "Protect Trans Kids," while another states "Trans People Have Always Been Here!" A person with red hair, wearing a denim jacket and a face mask, raises an arm while holding a sign that says "Let All Kids Play." Others in the crowd wear pink bandanas and buttons, standing among trees with autumn-colored leaves. The late afternoon sunlight casts a warm glow on the scene.

California Divide

Another California school board takes aim at transgender athletes

Redlands Unified school board can't legally ban transgender athletes, but a majority of its board voted for a resolution opposing them anyway.

By Deborah Brennan • April 30, 2025

Exterior of a building with large capital letters spelling “U.S. Department of Education.” The building features vertical windows and concrete panels, with sunlight casting deep shadows across the facade.

Higher Education

Fraud in California community colleges triggers call for Trump investigation

Following CalMatters reporting, California’s Republican representatives are calling for the U.S. Department of Education and Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate how California’s community colleges are handling financial aid fraud.

By Adam Echelman • April 25, 2025

Two students play on a balancing board in the playground area of an elementary school. More students can be seen in the background playing in the jungle gym.

K-12 Education

After Trump’s crackdown on DEI in schools, judge rules he can’t cut off funding

California receives $2.4 billion in federal Title I money for low-income schools, about $1.3 billion for special education and $250 million for after-school programs, among other grants.

By Carolyn Jones • April 24, 2025

A person speaks into a microphone while holding papers in a formal legislative chamber. The individual wears a burgundy outfit and stands at a desk with ornate woodwork. In the background, others are seated or standing, engaging in various tasks, including using a laptop and conversing. Tall curtains and architectural details frame the setting.

Justice

Lawmaker seeks new way to outlaw threats against California schools and places of worship

Existing law makes it illegal to threaten people in many cases, but what happens when the threat is against a building, such as a school or a place of worship?

By Denise Amos • April 23, 2025

A person sits on a metal round table in the courtyard of a college campus. The area is surrounded by trees, buildings and other colorful sitting areas.

Higher Education

UC has been enrolling more in-state students. Proposed state cuts may halt that growth

The UC has grown its enrollment of California undergraduates by 16,000 in the last five years. University officials say they won’t be able to continue that growth if state funding is cut.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • April 22, 2025

A student reads their writing out loud during Jen Roberts' English class at Point Loma High School in San Diego on May 3, 2024. Roberts uses AI platforms for classroom exercises and grading. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters

Higher Education

How do high schoolers in your area really fare after graduation? A new California tool lets you know

California’s new Cradle to Career dashboards track students' college paths and earnings after high school graduation — but leave out some key details.

By Adam Echelman • April 22, 2025

A view of a person's back as they walk by gray and white tents on the sidewalk on a hot day in Los Angeles.

Homelessness

A new program trains college students for jobs helping homeless Californians. Can it survive?

Santa Monica College started the first community college program to train people for much-needed jobs in homeless services. But will its first cohort be its last?

By Marisa Kendall and Adam Echelman • April 22, 2025