Tony Thurmond

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

K-12 Education

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

The results — the most thorough look yet at the pandemic's toll on learning — left education officials and experts neither surprised nor hopeless.

By

Joe Hong

and

Erica Yee

• October 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

Education

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

State education officials — who initially seemed to be delaying the release of student scores until after the election — instead shared them in a way guaranteed to hinder coverage of what's expected to be a steep pandemic-driven decline.

By

Joe Hong

• October 24, 2022

Candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction Lance Christensen is interviewed at the CalMatters offices on Sept. 26, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

K-12 Education

What would Lance Christensen do as California schools superintendent?

Parent advocate? Culture warrior? In a nearly hour-long interview with CalMatters, Lance Christensen, the challenger for California schools superintendent, vows to put students first and give parents a bigger voice.

By

Joe Hong

• September 30, 2022

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announces the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the California Department of Justice at a press event in San Francisco on Sept. 21, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

WhatMatters

Three state officers face policy pitfalls

Several statewide officials’ policies are coming under scrutiny as California’s Nov. 8 general election inches closer, heightening the possible political implications. First up: Attorney General Rob Bonta was dealt a major blow Monday, when the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 8-3 that California must exclude private immigration detention centers from its 2019 law […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• September 27, 2022

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond speaks outside of Enrique S. Camarena Elementary School in Chula Vista on July 21, 2021. Photo by Denis Poroy, AP Photo

Education

What has Tony Thurmond done as California schools chief?

Tony Thurmond faces little opposition for a second term as California schools superintendent, but critics question how much he has accomplished. He points to task forces that are influencing education policy and says he wants to help public schools rebound from the pandemic.

By

Joe Hong

• June 3, 2022

Amanda Arellano, 17, is pictured at a park near her home in Los Angeles on Feb. 22, 2022. Amanda said she believes schools need to focus more are helping students with mental health struggles that have been caused by the pandemic. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

WhatMatters

California confronts youth mental health crisis

Youth mental health is taking on more urgency for California policymakers as the pandemic enters its third year

By

Emily Hoeven

• March 17, 2022

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Pushing California schools to help at-risk kids

A case in San Bernardino opens a new avenue to compel California school districts to improve the educations of students at risk of failure.

By

Dan Walters

• June 22, 2021

The coronavirus pandemic led to an unprecedented drop in public school enrollment in California. Image via iStock

WhatMatters

Public school enrollment hits 20-year low: Biggest dip in youngest grades

California’s public schools lost more than 160,000 students amid the pandemic, the largest enrollment drop in two decades and a likely harbinger of serious educational and financial challenges. The sharp 2.6% decline, announced Thursday by the California Department of Education, doesn’t capture the full effects of the pandemic. The enrollment tally comes from a one-day […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 23, 2021