education

A person stands in the middle of a library aisle, surrounded by shelves filled with books. They are wearing a black V-neck shirt and blue jeans, with one hand on their hip and the other relaxed by their side. The background shows books neatly organized on both sides, leading to a window at the far end.

Education

Conservative professors and students are suing California’s community colleges, and winning

In numerous lawsuits, conservative professors and students allege that California’s community colleges are hindering their right to free speech under the First Amendment.

By

Adam Echelman

• November 21, 2024

A wide view of students walking through the black gates of a school campus with brick buildings. An American and California state flag can be seen in the distance.

K-12 Education

California schools brace for Trump’s attacks on immigrants, trans students and ‘woke’ curriculum

More than 115,000 children in California were undocumented in the most recent census count, and it’s estimated almost half of California children have at least one immigrant parent.

By

Carolyn Jones

• November 14, 2024

Higher Education

Culture wars start to roil elections for California’s community college trustees

In Southern California, candidates and political action committees are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaigns for community college board seats. Elsewhere, the races are uncontested.

By

Adam Echelman

and

Erica Yee

• November 4, 2024

Mario Ramirez Garcia, 10, works on schoolwork at home on April 23, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Commentary

California has seen too many debacles. Prolonged school closures may be the worst

California’s educational achievement crisis is negatively impacting the futures of millions of kids and the state’s economy. That would have been a better topic for the nothingburger special legislative session Gov. Gavin Newsom called on gas prices.

By

Dan Walters

• October 16, 2024

The entrance to "Davies Hall," a building partially obscured by a metal chain-link fence. The foreground features dry plants and vegetation, which are visible through the fence. Outside the entrance, several blue chairs and desks are arranged. The structure of the building above the entrance is made of concrete, and the name "Davies Hall" is visible on the wall to the right of the doors. The overall atmosphere feels abandoned or under construction.

Higher Education

Raw sewage and bursting pipes: Why California community colleges are asking voters for repairs

This November, California voters will decide on Proposition 2, a $10 billion education bond. Some community colleges are counting on the money to fix critical buildings and protect the safety of students.

By

Adam Echelman

• October 14, 2024

Ms. UCR Powwow Princess 2023-24, Tishmal Herrera, dances at a performance during Native American Celebration Day at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Sept. 22, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

K-12 Education

The brutal story behind California’s new Native American genocide education law

A new law requires California students to learn Native American history in a way that includes the mistreatment and perspectives of tribal members.

By

Carolyn Jones

• October 10, 2024

A child jumps over a cracked portion of an asphalt yard at a school. Other children playing can be seen in the background.

Commentary

California’s needy school districts back a $10 billion bond even though it favors richer schools

School officials in California communities with fewer resources and greater campus infrastructure needs are reluctantly embracing Proposition 2 on the November ballot. As written, the measure favors richer districts, but the needs are too great for district leaders to oppose it.

By Jen Byers • October 9, 2024

High school senior Catalina Govea, 17, helps a fourth-grade student at Linden Elementary School in San Joaquin County as part of a youth apprenticeship program on March 5, 2024. Photo by Manuel Orbegozo for CalMatters

Commentary

How early care apprenticeships can help address California’s dire teacher shortage

California is losing teachers while also preparing for even greater demand under the expansion of transitional kindergarten. Apprenticeship programs that prepare teachers for a career in early care education can help build the pipeline California needs.

By Randi Wolfe and Vince Stewart • October 2, 2024

Maroon bleachers fill the frame with people, mostly in pairs, sitting throughout the bleachers with a large amount of distance between them.

Higher Education

California bans legacy admissions at colleges. The end of affirmative action is a reason why

This story was updated Oct. 1, 2024. California’s private nonprofit colleges will no longer be able to grant students an admissions advantage if their parents donated to or went to the same college after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law this morning banning the practice. The state joins a rarefied group of four others that […]

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• September 30, 2024

A teacher goes over a lesson with two students in an outside pavilion where their class is being held.

K-12 Education

Use it or lose it: California schools race to spend the last of their pandemic funds

In 2021 California schools got $13.5 billion in pandemic relief grants. About $1.8 billion remains unspent.

By

Carolyn Jones

• September 30, 2024