California

News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in California
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School & District Management Local Education News You May Have Missed in 2024 (and Why It Matters)
A recap of four important stories and what they may signal for your school or district.
Evie Blad, December 20, 2024
7 min read
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Stock photo showing a mature man’s face looking into a large computer screen as type is being added to the screen by an Artificial intelligence,  AI,  chatbot.
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Artificial Intelligence Q&A This District Is Building an AI Chatbot—But Not for the Students
A district leader from Arcadia Unified in California discusses how his district is leveraging AI.
Lauraine Langreo, October 14, 2024
5 min read
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Assessment A District’s Experiment: What Happens When Schools Do Less Testing?
Los Angeles Unified will excuse some schools from periodic assessments. Supporters hope it will inspire new ways to measure learning.
Evie Blad, October 3, 2024
6 min read
Pink Piggy Bank with a vote sticker on the back and a blurred Capitol building in the distance.
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Education Funding Billions of Dollars for School Buildings Are on the Ballot This November
Several large districts and the state of California hope to capitalize on interest in the presidential election to pass big bonds.
Mark Lieberman, September 26, 2024
6 min read
Young girl using a cellphone in class. On her desk is an open notebook and a pencil.
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Ed-Tech Policy Cellphone Restrictions Are Coming to California Schools
A new law requires all public schools in California to limit students' access to cellphones during the school day.
Lauraine Langreo, September 23, 2024
2 min read
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Student Well-Being How a New Law to Suppress Social Media's 'Addictive Feeds' Could Help Schools
The law requires parental consent for social media platforms to send notifications to minors during the school day.
Arianna Prothero, September 23, 2024
5 min read
Assembly member Lori Wilson, Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, attends a meeting of the California legislature on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif.
Assembly member Lori Wilson attends a meeting of the California legislature on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. Wilson sponsored a student proposal for a menstrual education curriculum, which passed the state Senate on Aug. 28 and now goes to the Democratic governor.
Juliana Yamada/AP
Equity & Diversity Another State Could Mandate Period Education. Will It Catch On?
Few states mandate menstrual education, as lawmakers nationally scrutinize what can be discussed about gender in the classroom.
Brooke Schultz, September 3, 2024
5 min read
School bus on rural route, Owens Valley, CA.
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Education Funding A Funding Lifeline for Rural Schools Is at Risk, and Not for the First Time
Rural schools near national forests rely on dedicated federal funds. But so far, lawmakers haven't renewed them.
Mark Lieberman, August 16, 2024
7 min read
Parents, students, and staff of Chino Valley Unified School District hold up flags and signs in favor of protecting LGBTQ+ policies at the school board meeting held at Don Antonio Lugo High School on June 15, 2023, in Chino, Calif.
Parents, students, and staff of Chino Valley Unified School District hold up flags and signs in favor of protecting LGBTQ+ policies at a school board meeting on June 15, 2023, in Chino, Calif. The district is now suing Gov. Gavin Newsom over a new law banning districts from requiring educators to notify parents if their child requests to use a different name or pronouns in school.
Anjali Sharif-Paul/The Orange County Register via AP
School Climate & Safety Student Pronoun Policies Put Teachers in a Tough Spot
Teachers have to navigate policies that require them to inform parents when students request the use of different pronouns.
Elizabeth Heubeck, July 23, 2024
5 min read
Parents, students, and staff of Chino Valley Unified School District hold up signs in favor of protecting LGBTQ+ policies at Don Antonio Lugo High School, in Chino, Calif., June 15, 2023. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law Monday, July 15, 2024, barring school districts from passing policies that require schools to notify parents if their child asks to change their gender identification.
Parents, students, and staff of Chino Valley Unified School District hold up signs in favor of protecting LGBTQ+ policies at Don Antonio Lugo High School, in Chino, Calif., June 15, 2023. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law Monday, July 15, 2024, barring school districts from passing policies that require schools to notify parents if their child asks to change their gender identification.
Anjali Sharif-Paul/The Orange County Register via AP
Equity & Diversity Should Schools Tell Parents When Students Change Pronouns? California Says No
The law bans schools from passing policies that require notifying parents if their child asks to change their gender identification.
Brooke Schultz, July 16, 2024
5 min read
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School & District Management Principals' Unions Are on the Rise. What Are Their Demands?
Across the country, principals are organizing for better working conditions.
Olina Banerji, July 12, 2024
8 min read
Image of the complexities of Artificial Intelligence.
Kotryna Zukauskaite for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Los Angeles Unified's AI Meltdown: 5 Ways Districts Can Avoid the Same Mistakes
The district didn't clearly define the problem it was trying to fix with AI, experts say. Instead, it bought into the hype.
Alyson Klein, July 8, 2024
10 min read
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States Why This State Will Take a Class Requirement Off the Ballot—And Why It Matters
Asking voters to decide on a curriculum issue could set a tricky precedent, experts say.
Evie Blad, July 1, 2024
2 min read