EdSource Today
EdSource Today is an independent online forum that responds in a timely way to key education challenges and innovations in California and nationally. Written by EdSource staff and guest commentators, its mission is to promote critical thinking through informed, in-depth discussion and reporting, in addition to clarifying key education issues for policy makers, educators, the media and the general public.
- California forgoes second NCLB waiver request - by Kathryn Baron
- May 21st, 2013 | Comments | By Kathryn Baron
California has decided not to try again for a waiver from some key provisions of No Child Left Behind, at least not for the next school year. Instead, state education officials told the U.S. Department of Education that California would instead focus its efforts next year on implementing the Common Core State Standards, federal and state officials said Monday.
Federal education officials also Read entire article »
- May budget revise offers funding reprieve to some Regional Occupational Centers - by Susan Frey
- May 21st, 2013 | Comments | By Susan Frey
Some California Regional Occupational Centers – the primary providers of career technical education for high school students in the state – have been given a reprieve from Gov. Jerry Brown’s original plan to eliminate any future dedicated funding for them.
In his May budget revision, Brown instead proposed that centers that operate under joint powers authorities with several school Read entire article »
- Teacher layoffs lowest since economic downturn, CTA reports - by Jane Meredith Adams
- May 20th, 2013 | Comments | By Jane Meredith Adams
Teacher layoffs shrank to the lowest number since the recession began in 2008, with about 1,300 teachers, librarians, counselors and other public school employees receiving final layoff notifications by the May 15 deadline, according to the California Teachers Association.
The 1,300 notices amounted to less than half of the 3,000 preliminary “pink slip” layoff notifications that school districts Read entire article »
- It’s time to fix school discipline practices and policies - by Sarah Omojola / commentary
- May 21st, 2013 | Comments
- By Sarah Omojola / commentary
- All students can learn. That’s a simple but profound starting place for talking about changing school discipline policies. As a former teacher in New Orleans public schools, I am well aware of the Read entire article »
- California needs alternative certification now more than ever - by Corinne Muelrath / commentary
- May 16th, 2013 | Comments
- By Corinne Muelrath / commentary
- California, now more than ever, is facing an urgent need for qualified and talented professionals to enter our teaching workforce. At a time when one-third of California’s educators are nearing Read entire article »
- You reach more kids when you use the arts to teach - by Jon Schwartz
- May 13th, 2013 | Comments
- By Jon Schwartz
- When I tell people I use the performing arts to teach my second grade students, they often ask, “You’re responsible for teaching kids academics. How do you find the time for that?” Guess what? Read entire article »
May Budget Revise
In-Depth
Read EdSource Today's detailed coverage of the Gov. Brown's budget revision for education
- Gov's funding formula maintained, plus $1B for Common Core
- Community colleges get boost
- Adult ed proposal revised
- Early ed advocates disappointed
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EdSource In Depth
May 2013
Raising Revenues Locally: Parcel Taxes in California School Districts 1983-2012
There is renewed discussion in the Legislature to reduce the voting threshold for passage of parcel taxes to 55 percent from the current two-thirds requirement. This EdSource report analyzes all the p...
December 2012
Math in a Child’s World: Policy and Practical Challenges for Preschool Mathematics
Basic math concepts acquired before kindergarten are powerful predictors of later learning. This new EdSource report highlights the challenges of integrating math concepts into preschool.
September 2012
Understanding School Discipline in California: Perceptions and Practice
This report on a new EdSource survey of 315 school districts—representing two-thirds of public school students in California—sheds new light on how the state implements student disciplin...
June 2012
At Risk: Adult Schools in California
The continuing state budget crisis combined with increased flexibility in how school districts use funds has had a dramatic impact on adult education programs in California.
May 2012
Schools Under Stress: Pressures Mount on California’s Largest School Districts
This report identifies eight "stress factors" that are threatening the ability of California school districts to provide a quality education to California children.
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