public schools

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond speaks outside of Enrique S. Camarena Elementary School in Chula Vista on July 21, 2021. Photo by Denis Poroy, AP Photo

Education

What has Tony Thurmond done as California schools chief?

Tony Thurmond faces little opposition for a second term as California schools superintendent, but critics question how much he has accomplished. He points to task forces that are influencing education policy and says he wants to help public schools rebound from the pandemic.

By

Joe Hong

• June 3, 2022

Patricia Wallinga, a substitute teacher in San Francisco, is photographed at AP Gianni Middle School on April 22, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Education

Substitute teacher shortage hits California’s low-income students harder

Schools already struggling with teacher shortages reached a crisis point during the omicron surge, particularly those with high percentages of high-needs students. With substitute teachers in scarce supply and school officials worried about future staffing, one lawmaker is proposing solutions.

By

Joe Hong

• May 12, 2022

Amaya Palestino, 6, receives a COVID-19 vaccine at one of St. John’s Well Child and Family Center mobile health clinics in Los Angeles on March 16, 2022. California is backing away from COVID vaccine mandates for kids. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

Coronavirus

California backs away from COVID vaccine mandates for kids

The state decides it won't require COVID vaccines for children this fall, and a bill to mandate kids vaccines without personal belief exemptions stalls out.

By

Elizabeth Aguilera

• April 15, 2022

Students attend Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley on March 1, 2022. Statewide, California public school enrollment is sliding. Photo by Salgu Wissmath for CalMatters

WhatMatters

The curious case of California’s disappearing kids

For the first time since the start of the century, fewer than 6 million kids are attending California public schools.

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 12, 2022

Students in an AP English Literature + Composition class at Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley on March 1, 2022. Statewide, California public school enrollment is declining. Photo by Salgu Wissmath for CalMatters

K-12 Education

California public school enrollment drops below 6 million mark

According to new data from the California Department of Education, enrollment continues to drop at faster rates than before the pandemic.

By

Joe Hong

• April 11, 2022

Students at Piner High School complete a class assignment on Aug. 14, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

California Divide

California senator proposes checks for low-income, homeless high school seniors

A state senator wants to send no-strings-attached checks to homeless high school seniors in California, where basic income programs are beginning to “feel a lot more like a movement.”

By

Jeanne Kuang

• April 7, 2022

Commentary

Reaction to a lesson involving the N-word goes too far

In leading a classroom discussion about the evolution of language, the Sacramento-area teacher introduced the offensive word. Now some parents and the school district want to take away her teaching credential.

By

Guest Commentary

• April 4, 2022

Pre-kindergarten students work on their school work at West Orange Elementary School in Orange on March 18, 2021. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

K-12 Education

Will there be enough teachers for California’s ambitious plans for its youngest students?

California needs tens of thousands of teachers and assistants to expand public school to all 4-year-olds. Private and nonprofit preschools worry they’ll lose their staff.

By

Elizabeth Aguilera

• March 29, 2022