Public Schools

Education

Expect hybrid learning to become norm this fall

State education officials released recommendations for reopening more than 10,000 public schools this fall. They illustrate a number of drastic changes that will need to be made in order for students to practicing social distancing. Most notably, hybrid class schedules will mean a mix of classroom and online learning.

By Ricardo Cano • June 8, 2020

Economy

Newsom moves to slash school, health spending — but asks feds for a rescue

In trying to bridge a $54 billion deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Congress could wield great power to stave off painful cuts to schools, health care and safety-net programs. He announced trigger cuts absent additional federal stimulus. 

By Laurel Rosenhall and Jackie Botts • May 14, 2020

K-12 Education

California just pushed back school start times — you weren’t dreaming. Now what?

California just became the first state in the nation to push back the start of the school day, the better to let adolescents get the sleep they need at that age. But just how that new law will work is open to question. For one thing, it won’t start right away in most schools. It doesn’t appear to ban early morning ‘zero periods’ when many schools schedule important electives. It exempts rural schools without defining the term ‘rural.’ And it doesn’t necessarily mean school will end later, which means those extra minutes of snoozing will have to come out of some other part of the school day, such as lunch.

By Ricardo Cano • October 28, 2019

Education

Disaster Days: How megafires, guns and other 21st century crises are disrupting California schools

From climate-driven natural disasters to crumbling infrastructure and threats of mass shootings, modern dangers are sending California kids home from class in record numbers. The trend is only beginning to show up on lawmakers' radar.

By Ricardo Cano • September 16, 2019

Newsletters

Newsom’s fire plan, lack of mental health leadership, a transgender barrier to fall

Newsom eyes package to address wildfires crisis. Mental health services vary widely by county. Legislation focuses on school records for transgender alumi.

By Dan Morain • June 24, 2019

Commentary

A charter school moratorium won’t help California schools

Rather than focusing on a decades-old political fight between charter and district schools, the Legislature should work on reforms that would help traditional public school districts by removing barriers that prevent schools from innovating and improving.

By Guest Commentary • May 21, 2019

Newsletters

Drawing lines on privacy, wildfire, water and schools

San Francisco bans use of facial-recognition technology. PG&E's new CEO to face lawmakers today. Attorney general sues to stop raising of Shasta Dam.

By Dan Morain • May 15, 2019

Education

School choice

Dawn Hakim, Santa Clarita Our family moved to the Santa Clarita Valley because it was a great community. Since then, our family has seen first-hand the value of school choice. One size does not fit all. Although our local school was great, we quickly concluded it wasn’t a good fit for our son as he […]

By Guest Commentary • May 8, 2019

Commentary

California must reform charter schools. Here’s how

California has more charter schools than any state in the union. Yet our haphazard charter laws force school boards to grapple with loopholes and unintended consequences, too often creating havoc in our state.

By Guest Commentary • May 6, 2019

Newsletters

Legislators test Newsom, school layoffs, mind-bending hemp rules

Legislators to test Newsom with new bills, more school districts plan layoffs, why industrial hemp still isn't legal, panel continues death penalty work

By Dan Morain • March 18, 2019