Public Schools

K-12 Education

Fewer kids are going to California public schools. Is there a right way to close campuses?

Declining enrollment, the end of pandemic relief funding and uncertain state funding are forcing school districts to make some difficult decisions.

By Carolyn Jones • November 15, 2024

K-12 Education

Voters agree to fix up California schools. $10 billion construction bond passes

Lea esta historia en Español With California’s fund for school repairs on empty, voters approved a $10 billion bond to pay for much-needed upgrades at K-12 schools and community colleges. “This is very good news for all students,” said Adam Clark, superintendent of Mt. Diablo Unified in Contra Costa County. “In our district, we have […]

By Carolyn Jones • November 5, 2024

Education

Inland Empire schools propose $3.6 billion in bonds

In addition to voting on $10 billion in state school bonds, Inland Empire residents will consider bonds for 22 school districts.

By Deborah Brennan • October 24, 2024

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

K-12 Education

School boards sue, saying Newsom jeopardized funding guaranteed for schools

Gov. Gavin Newsom lowered the guaranteed amount of funding for K-12 schools in this year’s budget. The California School Boards Association filed a lawsuit, saying the change is unconstitutional.

By Carolyn Jones • September 26, 2024

Education

How a new California law will shield student athletes from heat 

A change in California law has set new rules for when young athletes can play and practice in high temperatures, affecting schools and teams across the state.

By Deborah Brennan • September 24, 2024

Commentary

California’s dysfunctional ‘dashboard’ of school ratings finally gets a well-deserved beatdown

Years ago, California education officials adopted a "dashboard" to inform the public about what was happening in public schools, but it was never very useful and now faces withering criticism.

By Dan Walters • September 13, 2024

Commentary

California schools face twin perils: chronic absenteeism and declining enrollment

California's public schools face a one-two punch of decreasing enrollment and increasing truancy, which contribute to their financial distress.

By Dan Walters • September 12, 2024

K-12 Education

California schools release a blizzard of data, and that’s why parents can’t make sense of it

Information about how the state’s K-12 students are performing is located on several sites and is difficult to understand, a new report finds.

By Carolyn Jones • September 5, 2024

Commentary

With 28 months to go, will Newsom now pay more attention to his day job?

In his second term, Newsom still has 28 months as governor. Will he pay more attention to his governance record, or will he continue his quest for national relevance?

By Dan Walters • August 28, 2024