Education Policy And School Improvement Issues

These sections address some of the most important issues facing public education today in California and the United States as a whole. For each issue you'll find an overview, relevant facts and figures, and a directory to related EdSource publications.

Accountability
State and federal policies for holding schools accountable for student performance, plus updates on API, AYP, and more.

Assessment
Standardized testing in California, explaining the systems and exploring the results.

Charter Schools
The rules, funding, and debates over these independently operated public schools, plus vital statistics.

High School and Beyond
Background on California's high schools and the pressures for reform they now face, plus students' options when they leave the K-12 system.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
General background, including how NCLB is changing California policy and practice.

School Finance
Basic information on California's school funding system. For more detailed information including facts, figures, and commentary, see CaliforniaSchoolFinance.org.

School Management
An overview of who is in charge of what in California schools, plus some helpful resources.

Standards and Curriculum
The principles behind the standards movement and their effect on California's public school curriculum.

Student Issues
The children attending California schools and the achievement gap, plus data on students and their performance.

Teacher Quality
Policies, issues and data related to preparation, professional development, evaluation, compensation, recruitment, and retention.

PLUS: After-School Programs
A special section with links to successful after-school programs