On California
This blog was written by Charles Taylor Kerchner, a professor and research scholar at Claremont Graduate University. He’s a veteran policy researcher and has written extensively about education reform and teacher unions. His writing of this blog was supported by a grant to CGU from the Stuart Foundation, which did not exert editorial control or approval. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: California.
Federal
Opinion
California Can Lead the Country in English-Learner Education
California is recognizing that students who speak a language other than English are a great asset to its society and economy. Recent changes in education policy promote biliteracy. Pursuing this path puts the state in a position of national leadership, writes Vickie Ramos Harris.
Education
Opinion
Toward Equity and Coherence? California's Funding Formula in Year 3
The research team studying how California schools implement the state's Local Control Funding Formula issued its third yearly report with the basic message of "stay the course."
Federal
Opinion
Federal Tax Credits Poised to Make a Big Education Impact
Donald Trump's pledge to put $20-billion behind school vouchers will likely materialize as federal tax credits. Here's how states and school districts should be thinking about them.
Budget & Finance
Opinion
Slow Implementation Endangers School Funding in Calif.
Nearly everyone says they like California's Local Control Financing Formula. A new report says it's a work in progress that's helping equity. But impatience and slow implementation put the system in jeopardy.
Science
Opinion
University of California Scientists Present Climate Change Solutions
University of California scientists want to move the messaging about climate change from gloom-and-doom to practical solutions. Their video series debuts today as Earth Day approaches.
International
Opinion
Innovative Latin American School Design Coming to California
Columbia's highly successful Escuela Nueva: featuring cooperative, personalized, active learning is coming to the United States, maybe to a school near you, write Tom Luschei and Sarah Smith Orr.
Federal
Opinion
Fear and Optimism From Calif. School Leaders
A panel of school district leaders echoes the fears their students face from the Trump Administration but also the optimism about working within California's new financial and accountability systems.
Education Funding
Opinion
Calif. Ed Department Reorganizes Into Teams
The California Department of Education is breaking out of its decades-old organizational silos, streamlining its operations and "Teaming Up for Success," write State Superintendent Tom Torlakson and Chief Deputy Glen Price.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Carnegie Summit Illustrates Path Toward Equity
"Getting better at getting better," is a catch phrase backed by solid science. Its methods build a better way toward closing achievement gaps.
Federal
Opinion
L.A. Times Editorials Directly Attack Trump
Under the blunt headline, "Our Dishonest President" the Los Angeles Times has begun an editorial attack on Donald J. Trump. More will follow.
School & District Management
Opinion
Innovation Zone Sought by Calif. CORE Districts
California's CORE districts want to spread their school improvement knowledge with an 'innovation zone' under the state's accountability plan. Garden Grove USD Superintendent Gabriela Mafi explains.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
STEM Blossoms in California Salad Bowl
Along with winter vegetables, STEM is blooming in Imperial County. Dennis and Daniel Gibbs are growing young scientists by transplanting the scientific method to the second grade.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Union Program Boosts Classroom Innovation
The Institute for Teaching, a California Teachers Association offshoot, has put nearly $1-million behind innovative teacher-initiative projects from STEM to STEAM: labs, gardens, dance, culture, and canoes. Here's a look.
Families & the Community
Opinion
Calif. Accountability Dashboard Debuts; Critics Abound
California released its long-awaited accountability dashboard. Its colorful multi-system replaces the state's single number, test-score-driven indicator. The dashboard could use improvement; but it's not as dumb as some of the criticism.