California creates system for rating early childhood centers The system is a result of the only statewide grants California received from President Barack Obama’s signature $4.3 billion Race to the Top program. Ed Source Number of public school students in poverty passes 50% A new report from the Southern Education Foundation found that over half...

Arizona group targets CA for graduation civics test Civics education advocates are looking to push through a requirement in California that public school students pass an exam based on one given for U.S. citizenship. KPCC Plenty of credits, no diploma The American School Counselor Association recommends a student-to-counselor ratio of 250 to 1. In California,...

LAUSD asks to postpone student test scores, so what’s next? A decision on LAUSD’ s request that the state postpone use of test scores from this spring’s planned standardized exams may not come until March. KPCC Los Angeles child protection team gears up for new year The transition team appointed to initiate sweeping child protection...

Billions more for schools could come in spring Already rejoicing over the governor’s plan to increase K-14 school spending next year, educators may look up in May to see that number has grown. SI&A Cabinet Report OC school grapples with overcrowding Parents say overcrowding at a Rancho Santa Margarita elementary school has forced their children...

Budget lifts teacher preparation oversight The state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing would receive a fiscal boost from the general fund as part of Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal. SI&A Cabinet Report Preschool advocates seek more funding Advocates for expanding preschool to low-income 4-year-olds were disappointed with the 4,000 additional enrollment slots proposed by Gov. Jerry...

Education secretary says administration is committed to testing The secretary of education, Arne Duncan, insisted on Monday that the administration would not back away from annual testing for students. New York Times President Obama to seek limits on student data mining President Barack Obama on Monday is expected to call for tough legislation to protect...

Arne Duncan to call for No Child Left Behind revamp Education Secretary Arne Duncan will call for repealing and replacing the nation’s landmark federal education law, No Child Left Behind. Politico Obama plan would help many go to community college free President Obama said Thursday that he would propose a government program to make community...

Feds issue warning to school districts to educate English learners Federal justice and education officials sent school agencies across the nation a stern message on Wednesday. KPCC New report details cumbersome procurement practices in big-city districts District officials from big-city school systems offered blunt criticisms of a slow, cumbersome, and often anxiety-choked procurement process. Education Week...

School testing gets a bit of state support It may not be much, but school districts will be reimbursed some $12.3 million to help offset costs associated with administering the state’s new Common Core tests. SI&A Cabinet Report New York’s school schedule wastes billions of dollars: Report School schedules contribute to an achievement gap between...

Brown’s budget would add billions to K-12 funding Gov. Jerry Brown, in his inaugural speech, announced public schools will receive $65.7 billion next year. SI&A Cabinet Report Inglewood High School vandalized with swastikas over holiday break Students returned Monday to an Inglewood high school to find graffiti on campus and classrooms vandalized. CBS Los Angeles...