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California OKs Long List of Options for Training Teachers in Early Literacy

This story was originally published by EdSource As a key element in the state’s package of early literacy reforms, Gov. Gavin Newsom included $200 million in last year’s state budget to pay for instructing elementary school teachers in the new reading strategies. On Wednesday, the State Board of Education approved 31 training programs that school districts can...
By John Fensterwald, EdSource | September 22, 2026
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Federal Court Revives Antisemitism Lawsuit Involving LAUSD Ethnic Studies

A group of Jewish parents and teachers are celebrating a recent court ruling that will allow them to refile a lawsuit against the United Teachers Los Angeles union and creators of the controversial “liberated” ethnic studies curriculum that some Los Angeles Unified teachers use. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the...
By John Fensterwald, EdSource | September 17, 2026
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California Bill to Catch Math Struggles in Youngest Students Heads to Governor’s Desk

This story was originally published by EdSource. Sign up for their daily newsletter. In a step toward giving math the attention early literacy has gotten, the Legislature on Monday approved a bill that would require schools to assess the math capabilities of all students in kindergarten through second grade each year, beginning in 2028-29. The...
By John Fensterwald, EdSource | August 27, 2026
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California School Districts Battle for $3.9 Billion They Argue Is Due Now, Not Later

This story was originally published EdSource. In coming days, school districts will find out whether their pressure campaign worked to persuade Gov. Gavin Newsom to turn over the $3.9 billion he planned to withhold, for now, from next year’s state funding for schools and community colleges. By midnight Monday, June 15, the state Legislature must pass...
By John Fensterwald, EdSource | June 16, 2026
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Researchers: California Needs to Double Down on Attention to Math

This story was originally published by EdSource. Sign up for their daily newsletter. State leaders’ recent attention to early literacy has led to funding and new programs to help close the literacy achievement gap. But math? The state hasn’t focused on it. And that neglect shows. State and national scores reflect many of California’s systemic weaknesses,...
By John Fensterwald, EdSource | May 20, 2026
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With Literacy Policies on the Books, Advocates Target Early Math

This story was published on EdSource. Buoyed by their successful strategies for early literacy, California legislators and advocacy groups are calling for a parallel approach to math. This week, they proposed that all school districts be required to screen children for math difficulties annually in the early grades, as the first step toward adopting a...
By John Fensterwald, EdSource | February 25, 2026