Education

The California State University system is considering annual tuition hikes to help cover a billion-dollar budget gap. Increasing attendance costs could make it harder for Black students who are already facing stubborn achievement and economic disparities.

Studies and tests consistently demonstrate that Californians – both students and adults – are woefully deficient in vital math skills. The state is recommending a new math curriculum, but will it have a beneficial impact?

California's Department of Education tried to block academic researchers from testifying in a lawsuit alleging that the state's school closures damaged academic achievement, but finally backed down – partially.

Loaded and unlocked firearms are one of the primary causes of unintentional shooting deaths involving children. Given their effectiveness, the father of a victim says the state should invest federal money for prevention in public education campaigns for safe gun storage and red flag laws.

Gov. Gavin Newsom quickly acted when the Temecula school board barred textbooks referencing Harvey Milk. But when California's schools remained shuttered longer than other states during the pandemic, Newsom refused to buck teacher unions.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Biden's plan to forgive student debt, but a UC Berkeley student isn't disappointed by the decision. Instead, she argues, leaders should make community college free so more students can enter higher education and develop the necessary skills for economic mobility.

California's school children were weak in educational attainment before COVID-19 struck and fell even further behind during the pandemic.

The U.S. Supreme Court this week rejected affirmative action in university admissions, ruling that race-conscious decisions are unconstitutional. The decision will have a limited impact on the UC system, but private schools like Stanford will be heavily affected.

Advocates supporting a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to a high-quality education say they want to hold schools accountable. But critics fear its vague language could unleash a barrage of lawsuits.

The arguments made by the Los Angeles Unified School District to fight a 2021 lawsuit attempting to reopen schools sparked a campaign to enshrine a constitutional right to a high-quality education. Let the politics begin.