School Reopening

WhatMatters

Schools may return to 100% distance learning

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, July 9. Schools aren’t ready to reopen, teachers say To the millions of exhausted and frustrated parents out there, I apologize for the news I’m about to share: Some school districts may return to 100% distance learning this fall as California’s coronavirus surge pushes them to rethink their reopening plans. […]

By Emily Hoeven • July 9, 2020

WhatMatters

UC names Michael Drake first Black president

Good morning, California. It’s Wednesday, July 8. Drake to helm system at pivotal moment Michael V. Drake was named president of the University of California on Tuesday, becoming the first Black person to lead the system in its 152-year history. Drake, who turns 70 on Thursday, will be responsible for steering the system through massive […]

By Emily Hoeven • July 8, 2020

WhatMatters

State cracks down on bars, restaurants

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, July 7. Newsom ramps up enforcement Amid intense criticism for reopening California’s economy too quickly, Gov. Gavin Newsom is ramping up enforcement of his coronavirus orders following the 16th straight day of record hospitalizations. Twenty-three counties are now on the state’s coronavirus watch list, with new additions Colusa, Madera, Marin, […]

By Emily Hoeven • July 7, 2020

Education

With California schools opening soon, kids lack needed tech to learn remotely

Lea este artículo en español. Betty Hunter and her rising eighth grader had a challenging spring of distance learning. On one hand, Hunter felt “blessed” that her son, Angel, received at least some form of live instruction each day from his teachers at the Mary L. Booker Leadership Academy, the San Francisco charter school he attended […]

By Ricardo Cano • July 6, 2020

Education

What California’s budget deal means for K-12 schools

California’s new budget provides enough funding for schools to pivot to hybrid learning when they reopen this fall. But school officials fear Sacramento’s decision to delay cuts could throw districts into the fiscal abyss later. The $202 billion budget Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Monday largely keeps intact funding for California’s public schools, capping […]

By Ricardo Cano • July 1, 2020

WhatMatters

How California protests are making history

Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers to kneel at Capitol. Education officials release school-reopening guidelines. Budget fight over cuts for doctors.

By Emily Hoeven • June 9, 2020

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

Education

Prepping to reopen, California schools desperate for guidance, money

Schools plan for next year without knowing how much money they’ll have or which specific guidelines create the safest learning environment for students.

By Ricardo Cano • June 1, 2020