College Application Deadlines: Everything You Need to Know
College applications for the fall 2025 term are now open, and deadlines are quickly approaching. In California, students have the option of choosing from 32 campuses between the University of California (UC) and California...
Addressing Youth Homicides: Finding Solutions Beyond School Grounds
School safety has been a major concern in the United States, especially in light of tragic events like the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. However, despite the media attention high-casualty school shootings...
Improving Translation of Special Education Documents for Families: New Law and Future Needs
California schools are taking a step forward to improve the translation of special education documents for families who speak languages other than English. A new law requires a template for special education programs to...
Advancing Education Equity Through Collaboration with Housing Sector: Q&A
Education and housing are deeply connected, but decisions made in these sectors are often separate. Meghan Gallagher, a principal research associate at the Urban Institute, focuses on collaborations between housing and education to improve...
Challenges Faced by Community College Students in Transferring to Four-Year Universities
California community college students face unique challenges when it comes to transferring to four-year universities, especially those attending colleges far from public universities. A recent study conducted by the RP Group shed light on...
Proposition 2: A Crucial Solution for California’s Students and Schools
After years of neglect and underfunding, California's schools are facing a crisis. Many students are attending schools with unsafe conditions, outdated buildings, and inadequate facilities. A recent report revealed that almost 40% of K-12...
Internet Safety Tips for Kids and Teens: Protecting Young Users Online
Not all screen time is created equal, and how kids spend it, whether creatively or passively, can make all the difference. For instance, young children who watch a “Bluey” episode or play a memory...
Avoiding State Takeover: Education Veteran’s Warning for San Francisco Schools
San Francisco is in a critical situation regarding its schools and needs to avoid a state takeover at all costs. Education veteran Carl A. Cohn has been brought in to assist city administrators in...
Low Candidate Turnout in California School Board Elections Leads to Decreased Voter Participation
Millions of California residents will not have the opportunity to vote for the people representing them on their school boards on Nov. 5 because many of the board races will not appear on the...
Identifying Vulnerable Students: Digging Deeper into Bullying Trends
Bullying among Asian American and Pacific Islander students in California continues to be a significant issue, affecting nearly 1 in 5 ninth and 11th graders, slightly higher than the statewide average for all students....
Navigating the Insurance Crisis in Foster Care: Vital Information for Schools
A seismic shift is shaking the foster system in California, leaving 9,000 school-aged children in a state of uncertainty. The insurance coverage for most foster family agencies in California either expired on Sept. 30...
Boosting Student Voter Turnout: The Role of Nonprofits
Boosting Student Voter Turnout: The Role of NonprofitsEvery election cycle, there are challenges in getting certain groups of people to vote. Younger and more diverse voters tend to have lower voter turnout rates compared...
The Importance of Outdoor Learning for Preschoolers: Benefits of Nature Exploration
At the Berkeley Forest School, children learn under the open sky, surrounded by nature's wonders. Ladybugs flying through the air become a science lesson, while fog on their faces teaches them about the water...
Research shows that ‘Academic probation’ discourages students from pursuing college – Impact on Student...
Academic probation is a common practice in colleges and universities across the country. When a student's GPA falls below a 2.0, they are typically notified through an automated system. However, recent research suggests that...
Transforming Math Education for English Learners in California: A Commentary
In California and across the United States, English learners often do not receive the attention they deserve in the education system. Despite being one of the largest student groups, with over 1 million students...
Expanding Transitional Kindergarten: Key Classroom Requirements
Transitional kindergarten for all 4-year-olds has been promoted as a way to improve declining enrollment and provide universal preschool. However, some districts are facing challenges due to inadequate space and lack of resources. This...
Improving High School Math Placement: Importance of Objective Criteria
Enrolling students in high school math courses is a crucial decision that can greatly impact their future college opportunities and careers. The pressure to reach Calculus by senior year often leads to taking Algebra...
The Impact of Caring Teachers on Young Students’ School Experience
In Paula Merrigan's transitional kindergarten class, the students build a strong bond with her because of her warmth. She greets them with a big smile every morning, works with each child one-on-one, and shows...
Comparing Dual Enrollment in California to Other States: A Comprehensive Report
Dual enrollment programs have been identified as a powerful tool to address equity gaps in college enrollment and completion rates. However, a recent report from the Community College Research Center (CCRC) at Teachers College,...
Cellphone Bans and the Real Problem of Social Media Addiction
Cellphone Bans and the Real Problem of Social Media AddictionInstagram recently introduced new policies aimed at addressing the negative impacts of addictive social media apps on teenagers. These policies include setting teen accounts to...
Community College and Professor Settle $2.4 Million Free Speech Case
A long-standing issue involving a professor at Bakersfield College in Kern County has finally come to a close with a $2.4 million settlement and the professor's resignation. Matthew Garrett, a tenured history professor, resigned...
Navigating LAUSD’s Academic Recovery: Challenges Ahead Post-Covid Relief
The Los Angeles Unified School District recently held a press conference to celebrate the academic achievements of its students on the 2024 California Smarter Balanced test scores. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho was pleased with the...
CDE Announces $470 Million in Golden State Pathways Awards for Third Time
The California Department of Education (CDE) recently made an announcement for the third time about the recipients of $470 million in grants for the Golden State Pathways Program, which aims to create career pathways...
Attracting New Educators: Addressing Teacher Turnover and Inspiring the Next Generation
There is a growing concern about the shortage of teachers in California and the challenges that educators face, leading many to consider leaving the profession due to burnout, low pay, and student behavior issues....
Improvement in State Test Scores Despite Lagging Pre-Covid Numbers
In California, there has been some progress in state test scores despite lagging pre-Covid numbers. Last school year, there were incremental increases in English language arts, math, and science scores, according to state data...
The Benefits of Free-Range Parenting: Insights from Lenore Skenazy
Lenore Skenazy, a former newspaper columnist turned author, became known as the "worst mom in America" for allowing her 9-year-old son to ride the subway alone. This incident led her to champion the free-range...
Empowering California Students for UC and CSU Admission: A Commentary
In California, there is a concerning issue regarding the lack of affordable and quality higher education options for many students, especially Black and Latino students. The problem lies in the inequity of students not...
California Passes Legislation to Safeguard Children from Addictive Social Media
California is taking a stand against the potentially harmful effects of social media on children. Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed groundbreaking legislation aimed at combating the addictive strategies employed by tech companies to keep...
Enrollment Decline of Low-Income Undocumented Students in California’s Public Universities: Q&A
Enrollment numbers of low-income undocumented students at the University of California and California State University have taken a significant hit, dropping by 50% between the school years 2016-17 and 2022-23. This decline is a...
New Math Placement Rules Impacting Community College STEM Students
To succeed in fields like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), having a strong foundation in mathematics is crucial. As a parent, I encouraged my sons to retake math courses in college to solidify...































