Teaching & Learning Blog

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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: California.

School & District Management Opinion How Adding Another Person to a Conversation Builds Capacity
In this second part of an interview with superintendent Devin Vodička and professor Alan J. Daly, they talk about how the simple act of adding one more person to a conversation can triple the power of a network.
Charles Taylor Kerchner, March 14, 2017
•
3 min read
School & District Management Opinion How Creating Networks Builds Winning School Districts
The Vista Unified School District won a XQ super school prize. Superintendent Devin Vodička attributes success to deliberately creating relational networks. Here, a conversation with the superintendent and University of California San Diego professor Alan J. Daly.
Charles Taylor Kerchner, March 13, 2017
•
7 min read
School Choice & Charters Opinion The Fossils Are Old; The Scientists Are Young
Elementary school students do real science in a partnership between L.A. Summit Prep and the La Brea Tar Pits funded by the National Science Foundation.
Marquisha Spencer & Charles Taylor Kerchner, March 8, 2017
•
2 min read
School & District Management Opinion A Proposal to Revive Local Taxing Authority for Calif. Schools
Even in the best of times, California public schools, face lean financing compared to large states with comparable costs of living. Legislative expert Rick Simpson wants to give local districts more taxing authority.
Charles Taylor Kerchner, March 6, 2017
•
6 min read
Teaching Profession Opinion Solar Panels Electrify Student Success
In Temecula, California, Blaine Boyer uses solar panels, painted guitars, and dragon lizards, to teach STEM, motivate students, and plant the seeds of adulthood in reluctant continuation school students.
Charles Taylor Kerchner, March 2, 2017
•
9 min read
Federal Opinion David Cohen on Shifting the Perception of Public Education
National Board certified teacher Kristoffer Kohl talks with another teacher and author, David Cohen, about his new book and the implications of Betsy DeVos as U.S. education secretary.
Contributing Blogger, February 27, 2017
•
8 min read
School & District Management Opinion Creating a Learning Community at California's Education Department
California's Department of Education has espoused creating professional learning communities. Now, as key staffers write it's trying to recreate itself in that image.
Glen Price, Jacquelyn Ollison & Briana Mullen, February 22, 2017
•
7 min read
Federal Opinion Here's An Alternative to Betsy DeVos' Privatization Agenda
Betsy DeVos' privatization agenda will become national policy. The California counter-narrative is creating a public system that improves itself.
Charles Taylor Kerchner, February 20, 2017
•
4 min read
School & District Management Opinion Virtual Learning in State Parks: Tide Pools and Technology
Field trips are fun, but they are often difficult and too expensive. The California State Parks are using portable technology to allow students virtual access to tide pools, butterflies, and the gold rush, writes Brad Krey.
Contributing Blogger, February 13, 2017
•
4 min read
School Choice & Charters Opinion It's Time to Take Betsy DeVos Seriously
The script played out. Betsy DeVos has become the most vilified U.S. education secretary in history, and she just took the oath of office. But it's time to take her ideas and her politics seriously.
Charles Taylor Kerchner, February 8, 2017
•
3 min read
Federal Opinion Calif. Creating a 'Counter Narrative' to Trump's America
California is positioning itself to battle Donald Trump. Behind the war that will be fought out in the classrooms and the courts lies a starkly different idea of what America is and should be.
Charles Taylor Kerchner, February 6, 2017
•
4 min read
Accountability Opinion Three Lessons From a Teacher-Powered Schools Conference
At more than 100 schools, teachers have gained substantial autonomy over the learning program, working conditions, personnel, and other domains. Here's what I learned by spending a weekend with them.
Charles Taylor Kerchner, February 2, 2017
•
5 min read
Teaching Profession Opinion Are Microcredentials the Next iPhone?
Teachers have been earning credits and credentials for generations, so the claim that new microcredentials will change professional development is likely to be met with some skepticism. But as Kristoffer Kohl writes they may be the next big thing.
Contributing Blogger, January 26, 2017
•
5 min read
Federal Opinion Did Twitter Make Trump the President?
Whether or not Twitter was the cause of the Trump presidency, it has changed politics. New research illustrates its power.
Charles Taylor Kerchner, January 23, 2017
•
5 min read
Load More ▼