Education

Commentary

A big data system for public education?

Having failed so many times to effectively use technology in state government, should California try again with a school data system?

By Dan Walters • January 18, 2021

Economy

California Policy & Politics: A Primer

Download and read this 53-page overview of all the major issues facing California policymakers.

By CalMatters Staff • January 14, 2021

WhatMatters

New vaccine strategy exposes big challenges

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, January 14. Some counties low on doses Six million Californians 65 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine — a major shift in strategy that could help accelerate the Golden State’s sluggish vaccine rollout even as some counties say they’re unprepared to handle increased demand. Gov. Gavin Newsom […]

By Emily Hoeven • January 14, 2021

Education

Newsom calls textbooks “racket,” proposes money to create free ones

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to spend $15 million to develop more degree programs that include free textbooks, taking aim at the “usurious costs” of commercial textbooks today. The state spent $5 million on a similar program in 2016-17.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • January 13, 2021

WhatMatters

Vaccine rollout a critical test for Newsom

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, January 12. Only 27% of doses used Gov. Gavin Newsom has a lot of political capital riding on his goal of vaccinating 1 million additional Californians by this weekend. Apart from school reopenings, no issue looms larger for Newsom’s third year in office — and his ability to fend off […]

By Emily Hoeven • January 12, 2021

Commentary

Without statewide testing data California will fall short in supporting student learning

To rectify the growing education equity gap in California schools, we need testing data about how students are doing academically.

By Guest Commentary • January 12, 2021

Education

Newsom’s school reopening plan puts tight deadlines on districts, legislature

Schools would have to offer in-person learning for primary students starting Feb. 16 in order to get the full funds under the governor’s $89.5 billion education budget. Lawmakers would need to meet deadlines in February and March, far earlier than normal.

By Ricardo Cano • January 11, 2021

Commentary

Let’s aim toward an authentic ethnic studies discipline

Ethnic studies has become celebratory of heroes and holidays, and now it is being further diluted and reconstituted as “diverse studies.”

By Guest Commentary • January 11, 2021

Politics

Better than ‘anyone could have imagined’: Inside Newsom’s optimistic, record-breaking budget proposal

 Lea este artículo en español.  More than last year’s budget. More than the year before. More than any California budget ever. Despite — or maybe because of — the last 10 months of arrested economic activity and unchecked viral contagion, Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced a record-breaking $227 billion spending plan for the coming fiscal year. It […]

By Ben Christopher • January 8, 2021

WhatMatters

Inside Newsom’s $4.5 billion economic recovery plan: Clean vehicles a top priority

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday unveiled a $4.5 billion plan for business and job recovery, dedicating one-third of the funding to eliminating new gas-powered cars by 2035. The plan offers a glimpse into Newsom’s priorities for the 2021-22 budget, which will be released in full on Friday, kicking off months of negotiations with the Legislature. […]

By Emily Hoeven • January 6, 2021