California Resources and Links
The following list of organizations is selected from the growing number of websites that have interesting information and resources about elementary and secondary education. Most of these sites offer links to other useful information.
In providing this list, EdSource does not endorse the contents of the sites or the viewpoints of individual organizations. Watch for periodic revisions and updates.
Please note: When you click on any of these links, a new browser window will open. To return to EdSource, simply close that window.
State Agencies and Commissions
Data on California Schools
Research/Policy
Advocacy & Professional Associations
Press & Periodicals
California Department of Education (CDE)
www.cde.ca.gov
The CDE collects and distributes data and information on California public schools, acts as an advisor to school districts and county offices of education, and monitors state and federal education programs. The State Superintendent for Public Instruction, a non-partisan elected position currently held by Jack O'Connell, is the Chief Executive Officer of the CDE.
1430 N Street
PO Box 944272
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/319-0791
California Children & Families Commission (First 5 California)
www.ccfc.ca.gov
The California Children and Families Act of 1998 is designed to provide, on a community-by-community basis, all children prenatal to five years of age with a comprehensive, integrated system of early childhood development services. First 5 California, as the Commission is commonly known, focuses on integrating health care, quality childcare, parent education, and effective intervention programs for families at risk.
2389 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 260
Sacramento, CA 95833
916/263-1050
916/263-1360
E-mail: info@ccfc.ca.gov
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
www.ctc.ca.gov
CTC is a permanent, independent commission created in 1970 to strengthen the effectiveness of California's educators and their formal preparation. The CTC fulfills policy-setting, regulatory, and accrediting functions in the state.
1900 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/445-0184
California Department of Education (CDE) - Education Technology Office
www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et
CDE's Education Technology Office provides assistance to schools and districts in integrating technology into teaching and learning.
,
916/323-5715
E-mail: edtech@cde.ca.gov
California Department of Finance (DOF)
www.dof.ca.gov
www.dof.ca.gov/HTML/DEMOGRAP/druhpar.htm
The Department of Finance serves as the governor's chief financial advisor and publishes California's state budget.
The DOF's Demographics Research Unit is also the single official source of demographic data for State planning and budgeting.
915 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/445-3878
California Office of the Secretary of Education (OSE)
www.ose.ca.gov
The Governor's appointed Secretary of Education, currently Alan Bersin, advises and makes policy recommendations to the Governor on education issues.
Office of the Secretary of Education
1121 L Street, Suite 600
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/323-0611
Fax: 916/323-3753
California Research Bureau (CRB)
www.library.ca.gov/html/statseg2a.cfm
The CRB provides nonpartisan research to the governor’s office, members of both houses of the Legislature, and other state constitutional officers.
Library and Courts Building II
900 N St., Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/653-7843
Fax: 916/654-5829
California Secretary of State
www.ss.ca.gov
The official website of California's secretary of state, Bruce McPherson, it provides ballot initiative updates, voter information, and election results as well as other information.
1500 11th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/653-6814
California State Board of Education (SBE)
www.cde.ca.gov/be
The State Board of Education (SBE) is the governing body that oversees the implementation of laws passed by the Legislature affecting public schools in California. Members are appointed by the Governor, and approved by the Senate, for four-year terms.
1430 N Street, Suite #5111
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/319-0827
Fax: 916/319-0175
California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS)
www.CalSTRS.com
The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) was established by law, in 1913, to provide California teachers with both a secure financial future once they retire and an incentive to stay in teaching their entire working careers. Membership includes all employees in California K–14 public schools, and CalSTRS is currently the country's largest public teachers' pension organization.
This website offers membership and program information, member account services, online forms, and news about related state and federal policy activity.
Public Service Office
P.O. Box 15275
Sacramento, CA 95851-0275
800/228-5453
Clearinghouse for Multilingual Documents (CMD)
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/pf/cm
The Clearinghouse for Multilingual Documents (CMD) is a Web-based source of information about California's public elementary and secondary education documents translated into non-English languages by educational agencies. Developed by the California Department of Education (CDE), the CMD is aimed at reducing redundant document translation work and increasing access to translated documents. The CMD provides free access to information about translated documents and secure access to local educational agencies (LEAs) to manage the translated document information.
1430 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-323-8343
E-mail: wshimizu@cde.ca.gov
Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT)
www.fcmat.org
FCMAT provides fiscal advice, management assistance, training and other related school business services to Local Education Agencies in California.
1300 17th St.
City Centre
Bakersfield, CA 93301
661/636-4000
Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO)
www.lao.ca.gov
The Office of the Legislative Analyst (LAO) is a nonpartisan office within the state government that gives fiscal and policy advice to the California Legislature. The LAO provides analyses of proposed and adopted state budgets and also offers the public information about state initiatives and ballot propositions. The LAO also provides
Cal Facts online, which consists of charts and tables which address questions frequently asked of their office on such topics as public and education finance, and program trends in the state.
925 L St., Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/445-4656
Fax: 916/324-4281
Little Hoover Commission
www.lhc.ca.gov/lhc.html
The Little Hoover Commission is an independent state oversight agency that investigates California government operations. The 11-member bipartisan commission provides reports, recommendations, and legislative proposals with the goal of promoting efficiency, economy, and improved service.
925 L St., Suite 805
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/445-2125
Fax: 916/322-7709
E-mail: little.hoover@lhc.ca.gov
California Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS)
www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sd/cb
CBEDS is a collection of data from California public schools (K–12), including information on student enrollment, graduates and dropouts, course enrollment, enrollment in alternative education, gifted and talented education, and more. Data is collected in October of each year.
California Department of Education (CDE) - Data & Statistics
www.cde.ca.gov/ds
The Data and Statistics Division is the starting point for data searches within of the California Department of Education. This page contains links to a number of sites listed below.
California Department of Education (CDE) - DataQuest
data1.cde.ca.gov/dataquest
DataQuest is the California Department of Education’s database on California schools and districts. This site provides performance, demographic, and other information on students, staffs, and schools.
Education Data Partnership (Ed-Data)
www.ed-data.k12.ca.us
Ed-Data is a joint venture of the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE), the California Department of Education (CDE), EdSource, and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT). This interactive database includes demographic and performance data for each California school, school district, county, and the state--plus detailed financial data at the school district, county, and statewide levels. The site contains user-friendly search functions for comparing schools and districts, trend data for tracking changes over time, and the results of districts' parcel tax and bond elections. Helpful for parents, policymakers, reporters, and educators, the Ed-Data Web site turns data into useful, clear information.
c/o EdSource
520 San Antonio Rd., Suite 200
Mountain View, CA 94040
650/917-9481
Fax: 650/917-9482
E-mail: ed-data@cde.ca.gov
Great Schools
www.greatschools.net
Great Schools is a nonprofit organization that provides information on public and private schools in all 50 states. Geared toward parents and educators, Great Schools also provides tools to help visitors search for and compare schools, and content designed to help people understand and improve schools.
965 Mission St., Suite 650
San Francisco, CA 94103
415/977-0700
Fax: 415/977-0704
Just for the Kids
Just for the Kids - California
www.just4kids.org
www.jftk-ca.org
Just for the Kids, an affiliate of the National Center for Educational Accountability, uses information obtained from state departments of education to generate Just for the Kids School Reports. School leaders, teachers, parents, and interested community members can identify how their schools are performing compared to other schools in their states with similar or more disadvantaged student populations, and learn what the highest-performing schools are doing to raise test scores.
In addition to the Just for the Kids California School Reports available on the national site, additional reports, tailored for California, are available through the state-specific Just for the Kids - California website.
Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO)
www.lao.ca.gov
The Office of the Legislative Analyst (LAO) is a nonpartisan office within the state government that gives fiscal and policy advice to the California Legislature. The LAO provides analyses of proposed and adopted state budgets and also offers the public information about state initiatives and ballot propositions. The LAO also provides
Cal Facts online, which consists of charts and tables which address questions frequently asked of their office on such topics as public and education finance, and program trends in the state.
925 L St., Suite 1000
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/445-4656
Fax: 916/324-4281
Public Schools Accountability Act (PSAA)
www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/pa
Signed into law in California in April 1999, the PSAA outlines a comprehensive process for ranking schools based on specific criteria and improvement over time. This Act has four main components: the Academic Performance Index (API), Immediate Intervention/Underperforming Schools Program (II/USP), Award Programs related to the API, and Alternative Schools Accountability Model (ASAM). This page contains links to information on these components.
School Wise Press
www.schoolwisepress.com
School Wise Press is a commercial organization geared toward parents. It provides background information and links to articles on education topics as well as comparative data on each of California’s public schools. For a small fee, you can purchase profiles of individual schools.
85 Ashton Ave., Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94112
800/247-8443
415/337-7971
Fax: 415/337-1146
E-mail: info@schoolwisepress.com
Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program
www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr
Find STAR test results, sample test questions, regulations, and blueprints for STAR standards-based items on this site.
STAR Office
1430 N St., Suite 5408
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/445-8765
Fax: 916/319-0969
California Education Code
www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html
(At www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html, Check the box next to "Education Code" and click on "Search")
State law governing public schools, school districts, and county offices of education are generally found in the Education Code. (Some sections of the Code apply to community colleges as well.) Bills enacted by state lawmakers generally amend, add, or repeal sections of the Education Code.
California Education Research Cooperative (CERC)
http://cerc.ucr.edu
CERC is a partnership among the Riverside and San Bernardino County Offices of Education, local school districts, and the University of California, Riverside. This cooperative runs a research, development, and training center focused on issues facing California’s public school system.
1361 Sproul Hall
Graduate School of Ed, UC Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951/827-3026
Fax: 951/827-3491
E-mail: cerc@ucr.edu
California Educational Research Association (CERA)
www.cera-web.org/
The California Educational Research Association (CERA) has been serving the education community by providing a point of connection for research and evaluation professionals working to invigorate the quality of California schools.
Sacramento County Office of Education
10474 Mather Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95826
916/228-2575
E-mail: ptuss@cera-web.org
California School Finance
californiaschoolfinance.org
This website from EdSource addresses the full range of issues related to school finance in California in a clear, accurate, and balanced way. It offers both general explanations of the state’s current funding system and detailed information for those who want it. It links to important research about the issues and includes thoughtful commentary.
520 San Antonio Rd., Suite 200
Mountain View, CA 94040-1217
650/917-9481
Fax: 650/917-9482
E-mail: CAschoolfinance@edsource.org
California School Finance & Governance: Getting Down to Facts
irepp.stanford.edu/projects/cafinance.htm
"Getting Down to Facts" is a project of the Institute for Research on Education Policy & Practice (IREPP), an affiliate of Stanford University. This project, consisting of 20+ studies, is designed to provide California's policy-makers and other education stakeholders with comprehensive, research-based information on California's current school finance and governance systems. The project was released in March 2007.
CERAS Building, 5th Floor
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-3084
650/736-1258
Fax: 650/723-9931
E-mail: irepp@suse.stanford.edu
Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning (CFTL)
www.cftl.org/
The Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning (CFTL) is a public, nonprofit organization made up of education professionals, scholars, and public policy experts with a special interest in strengthening teacher workforce capacity through promoting and disseminating effective practice, research, and policy analysis. Each year, the center releases a comprehensive report on the status of the teaching profession, which includes current data on teacher supply, demand, preparation, induction, professional development, and accomplished teaching. Accompanying the report are recommendations for strengthening teacher development throughout the state.
133 Mission St., Suite 220
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831/427-3628
Fax: 831/427-1612
E-mail: info@cftl.org
ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career
www.connectedcalifornia.org
ConnectEd looks at policy, practice, and research to determine the best ways to prepare students for college and career. It supports an academically rigorous approach to career/tech education.
2150 Shattuck Ave., Suite 1200
Berkeley, CA 94704
510/849-4945
Fax: 510/841-1076
E-mail: Info@ConnectEdCalifornia.org
CSU Institute for Education Reform
www.calstate.edu/ier
The California State University (CSU) Institute for Education Reform is a university-based policy center focusing on elementary and secondary school issues. The Institute works with all 23 campuses of the CSU system and is supported by the Chancellor's Office. Its goals are to link the university and state policy makers with important developments and concerns within the K-12 education community and to provide assistance to K-12 schools which are undertaking or contemplating major reform activities.
California State University, Sacramento
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 8
916/278-4600
Fax: 916/278-5014
Cubberley Education Library at Stanford University
library.stanford.edu/depts/cubberley/index.html
The Cubberley Education Library at Stanford University provides an extensive page of education resources and links and access to a number of research databases, along with other education-related services and information.
Stanford University
Education Building, Second Floor
Stanford, CA 94305
650/723-2121
Official California Legislative Information (LEGINFO)
www.leginfo.ca.gov
The LEGINFO site is sponsored by the Legislative Council of California, pursuant to California law. It contains full text of California bills and laws, which you can search either by bill number or key words, as well as legislative publications and information on current events in the Legislature.
Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE)
pace.berkeley.edu
PACE is a nonprofit cooperative venture between the schools of education at the University of California–Berkeley, University of California–Davis, and Stanford University. PACE conducts research and policy analysis on issues from preschool through college with the aim of enriching public policy debates.
University of CA, Berkeley School of Education
3653 Tolman Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-1670
510/642-7223
Fax: 510/642-9148
E-mail: pace@berkeley.edu
Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC)
www.ppic.org
The Public Policy Institute of California is a private, nonprofit organization that conducts research on economic, social, and political issues in the state.
500 Washington St., Suite 800
San Francisco, CA 94111
415/291-4400
Fax: 415/291-4401
American Association of University Women-California (AAUW-CA)
www.aauw-ca.org
AAUW is a national organization that promotes education and equity for all women and girls. AAUW-CA was founded in 1886; its current membership represents over 20% of the national total.
P.O. Box 160067
Sacramento, CA 95816-0067
916/448-7795
Fax: 916/448-1729
E-mail: office@aauw-ca.org
Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
www.acsa.org
ACSA is an advocacy organization for school administrators in California.
1029 J Street, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/444-3216
800/890-0325
Fax: 916/444-3739
California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE)
www.cbee.org
CBEE is an advocacy organization created by the California Business Roundtable and other business organizations to represent the business community in state education policy making.
1215 K St., Suite 1570
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/498-8980
California Business Roundtable
www.cbrt.org
California Business Roundtable is a nonprofit organization of the chief executive officers of leading California businesses. They focus on identifying and influencing public policy in order to improve California’s overall business climate.
1215 K St., Suite 1570
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/553-4093
Fax: 916/553-4097
E-mail: cbrt@cbrt.org
California Consortium of Education Foundations (CCEF)
www.cceflink.org
CCEF provides training and support services to education foundations throughout California, including guidelines for starting a local foundation at your school or district.
Starting an Education Foundation, a booklet, provides practical advice about starting a foundation to support local schools.
P.O. Box 19290
Stanford, CA 94309
650/324-1653
Fax: 650/326-7751
E-mail: ccef@cceflink.org
California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA)
www.ccsesa.org
CCSESA is a network of 11 county educational service regions in California that provide support for schools in curriculum and instruction, personnel administration and pupil instruction in special education, juvenile court and community schools, migrant education, and other specialized direct educational programs.
1121 L Street, Suite 510
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/446-3095
Fax: 916/448-7801
California Family Resource Association (CFRA)
www.californiafamilyresource.org
The California Family Resource Association (CFRA) is a statewide membership organization comprised of family-serving agencies and individuals. CFRA advocates for programs, policies, and resources that strengthen families and communities; works to build the capacity of its members, including schools; and supports its members by linking them to one another.
4700 Roseville Rd.
North Highlands, CA 95660-5143
916/338-6633
Fax: 916/338-6630
E-mail: info@californiafamilyresource.org
California Federation of Teachers (CFT)
www.cft.org
CFT is an advocacy organization for California education workers and is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. Members work at every level of public (and private) education in the state, pre-K–University.
One Kaiser Plaza, Suite 1440
Oakland, CA 94612
510/832-8812
Fax: 510/832-5044
California School Boards Association (CSBA)
www.csba.org
The California School Boards Association (CSBA) is an advocacy organization representing school board members from nearly 1,000 school districts and county offices of education statewide.
3100 Beacon Blvd.
West Sacramento, CA 95691
916/371-4691
800/266-3382
Fax: 916/371-3407
California School Employees Association (CSEA)
www.csea.com
CSEA is an advocacy organization for classified, non-teacher, school employees in California.
2045 Lundy Ave.
San Jose, CA 95131
800/632-2128
408/473-1000
California State Parent Teacher Association (CSPTA)
www.capta.org
The California State PTA is the oldest and largest statewide nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to working on behalf of children and the issues that affect them. Membership is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health and welfare of children.
930 Georgia St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1322
213/620-1100
Fax: 213/620-1411
California Taxpayers Association
www.caltax.org
The California Taxpayers Association is an advocacy organization that conducts research and advocacy on tax and spending issues.
1212 K St., Suite 1250
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/441-0490
Fax: 916/441-1619
California Teachers Association (CTA)
www.cta.org
CTA is an advocacy organization for California teachers and is affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA).
1750 Murchison Dr.
P.O. Box 921
Burlingame, CA 94010
650/697-1400
Fax: 650/552-5002
California Tomorrow
www.californiatomorrow.org
California Tomorrow is a nonprofit organization that provides publications and services on the cultural issues of California’s ethnically diverse population.
1904 Franklin St., Suite 300
Oakland, CA 94612
510/496-0220
Fax: 510/496-0225
E-mail: info@californiatomorrow.org
Campaign for College Opportunity
www.collegecampaign.org
The Campaign for College Opportunity is a nonprofit organization working to ensure that the next generation of college-age students in California has the chance to go to college as promised by the state 1960 Master Plan for Higher Education.
663 13th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
510/645-1362
Fax: 510/645-1368
E-mail: info@collegecampaign.org
Children Now
www.childrennow.org
Children Now is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that provides annual statistical reviews on the status of California’s children and makes recommendations for change.
1212 Broadway, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
510/763-2444
Fax: 510/763-1974
E-mail: children@childrennow.org
Education Trust-West
www.edtrustwest.org
The Education Trust-West works for the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, kindergarten through college, and forever closing the achievement gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other youth.
155 Grand Avenue
Suite 1025
Oakland, CA 94612
510/465-6444
Fax: 510/465-0859
EdVoice
www.edvoice.org
EdVoice is a non-partisan, non-profit political advocacy group that helps pass laws that improve public schools for all California children. EdVoice encourages individuals at the local level who care about improving schools to join their efforts through their E-Mail Advocacy Network.
1107 9th Street, Suite 730
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/448-3868
Fax: 916/448-5620
E-mail: info@edvoice.net
League of Women Voters of California (LWVC)
www.lwvc.org
The LWVC has two separate roles, one of which is to provide nonpartisan voter service and citizen education activities. The other role is to conduct action and advocacy for or against particular policies in the public interest.
801 12th St., Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95814
888/870-VOTE
916/442-7215
Fax: 916/442-7362
E-mail: lwvc@lwvc.org
School Services of California, Inc.
www.sscal.com
School Services of California, Inc. provides consulting services, data, and policy analysis to school districts, county offices, and community colleges in meeting their management, governance, and fiscal responsibilities.
1121 L St., Suite 16
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/446-7517
Fax: 916/446-2011
SchoolGrants
www.schoolgrants.org
SchoolGrants was created to assist the K-12 education community (educators and parents) nationwide in locating and applying for grants to fund school projects.
P.O. Box 177454
Irving, TX 75017
E-mail: webvisitor@schoolgrants.org
Small School Districts' Association (SSDA)
www.ssda.org
SSDA is an advocacy and support organization for small school districts in California.
1130 K Street, Suite 260
Sacramento, CA 95814
916/444-9335
Fax: 916/441-4851
California Schools
www.csba.org/csmag/default.cfm
California Schools is a quarterly magazine published by the California School Boards Association (CSBA).
,
916/371-4691
EdCal and Leadership Magazine
www.acsa.org/publications
These two periodicals are published by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).
,
916/444-3216
Rough & Tumble
rtumble.com
Rough & Tumble is a daily digest of links to news stories about California public policy and politics. The site does not promote any political point of view either by including stories or excluding items. Education stories are mixed in with all the other California issues, and the site does not have a search engine, so you may have to scroll to find them.
2308 Swarthmore Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95825
916/925-5837
E-mail: jkav@rtumble.com
Trouble reading this page? Our site is best viewed in IE 5, Safari 1, Firefox 1 or AOL 9 or higher.