Issues & Research

The sections below present background information, data, research, and a listing of EdSource publications related to these important education issues. 

Hot Topics in California Education

Need insights and background to help you understand California’s most pressing and most important education practice and policy issues? Here, you can get quick explanations or dig deep into the issues that matter to you.  

School Finance

If the state government cannot increase its revenues next year, K–12 public education will likely suffer cuts that could cripple some school districts' ability to function and almost certainly curtail meaningful efforts at educational improvement throughout the state. To learn more see:

• Current Budget Discussion: Updates and answers to frequently asked questions to help you understand and explain the situation.
• Budget Basics: Background information that breaks down the complexity of California's school finance system.
• District Budgets: Information about how school districts plan and manage local budgets.

Academic Performance Index

The California Department of Education recently released 2010 Base Academic Performance Index (API) reports, including school rankings and growth targets. To learn more about California's accountability system see:

• California's Accountability in our Standards-based Education section.
• Charts & Data for trend information.

Common Core Standards

California adopted the Common Core Standards in August 2010. In June 2011 the state joined the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium. As the debate shifts from whether the standards should be adopted to how to implement them, important questions arise. Our Common Core section provides context for understanding the issues, including:

• Video of the 2011 EdSource Forum Common Core segment: Speakers discussed how the new standards differ from current standards and next steps in implementing these standards.
• Standards-Based Education: Background on California's current standards-based system including analysis of the challenges California will face as it implements the Common Core standards.
• Common Core Standards: Context on the historical debate concerning standards-based education in California and the rest of nation.

Federal Education Policy

As the new Congress begins its work on the federal budget and reauthorization of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA), this section provides a foundation to better understand how what transpires in Washington, DC affects California, including:

• Federal Stimulus and the Race to the Top: Background Information about Race to the Top and other federal reform efforts.
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB): An explanation of the 2002 federal No Child Left Behind Act, including analysis of California's approach to its implementation.