Charter Schools

K-12 Education

Teacher credentials come in for tough grading as CA rethinks charter school rules

Heather Williams knew as a kid that she wanted to be a piano teacher. She earned her music degree with a piano emphasis from Brigham Young University and spent decades honing her craft. Today she not only runs her own academy near Sacramento, offering private lessons with a special certification in the Suzuki Method of […]

By Ricardo Cano • July 8, 2019

Newsletters

Trump’s take on California’s budget, Republican prospects and broccoli donuts

Trump campaign strategist weighs in on California health care plans. Presidential candidates duck homeless issue. Charter schools report released.

By Dan Morain • June 11, 2019

Capitol

Charter school task force echoes calls for tighter charter school regs, more local control

A closely watched report commissioned by Gov. Gavin Newsom calls for more local discretion and tighter regulation of charter schools.

By Ricardo Cano • June 7, 2019

Newsletters

Vaccines, soda, mental illness and an ice cream man-candidate

Vaccination fight heats up in Legislature. Efforts to curb soda use fall flat. San Diego DA calls for mental health reform

By Dan Morain • May 23, 2019

Capitol

Charter school curbs pass Assembly, but drama foretells compromise

A major bill to curb the growth of charter schools in California was narrowly approved in the Assembly Tuesday, but compromise appeared likely as moderates who let it proceed to the Senate called for a less hard line.

By Ricardo Cano • May 22, 2019

Capitol

5 takeaways from Newsom’s revised budget plan

Buoyed by California’s strong economy, Gov. Gavin Newsom sent state lawmakers a revised budget on Thursday that boosts his already-hefty January proposal to $213.6 billion. Ka-ching! Public schools will reap most of the gains if the Democratic-controlled Legislature rolls with him. Newsom also upped his ante on the housing crisis with a proposed $1 billion […]

By Judy Lin • May 9, 2019

Newsletters

An eventful week for NIMBYs, preschoolers, Richard Pan’s soul and CA Democrats

It's been a good week for California housing, sterner vaccine laws and early childhood education. Less so for some California Democrats.

By Dan Morain • April 25, 2019

Education

California opinions on charter schools are divided—and more complex than portrayed

California voters are just as divided as their elected officials on the charter school issue, and maybe more so, a new PPIC survey on education shows.

By Ricardo Cano • April 24, 2019

Capitol

Later school bells, alternative testing: California lawmakers try again on quashed K-12 bills

From later school start times to lower thresholds for parcel taxes, California lawmakers see a second chance with Gov. Gavin Newsom to pass education bills quashed by former Gov. Jerry Brown.

By Ricardo Cano • April 18, 2019

Newsletters

Newsom’s wildfire plan, fracking fight and a forced resignation

Newsom to unveil wildfire plan, state's relationship with oil and gas industries could be headed for a breakup, South Coast Air Quality board member resigns

By Dan Morain • April 12, 2019