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Cost grows for proposal to expand transitional kindergarten
A Senate proposal to expand transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds would be more expensive than originally predicted, according to a new analysis. At full rollout in 2019-20, Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg’s proposal would cost $1.46 billion in addition to the $901 million already being spent on the current transitional kindergarten program, according to a recent analysis by the California Department of Education. EdSource

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Solvency issues diminish as LEA budgets improve
Reflecting the upswing in the state economy, the number of school districts classified as being financially at-risk dropped sharply for the second year in a row, state schools chief Tom Torlakson reported Tuesday. The biannual fiscal certification found 49 local educational agencies in either negative or qualified status – that’s down from 124 flagged in the danger zone one year ago and 188 in May, 2012. SI&A Cabinet Report 

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Teachers stage apparent sickout at Compton high school
More than half the teachers at a Compton high school called in sick Tuesday, leaving students unattended and forcing district officials to scramble to bring order to the campus. The Compton Unified School District blamed labor action for the absence of teachers at Dominguez High. LA Times

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Experts, officials address concerns over transgender student athletes
On a sunny Tuesday afternoon, the Azusa High girls softball team took the field for its first preseason game. It wasn’t perfect, with all the excitement and errors that come from first-game jitters. But a lopsided score — 22-2 — gave the Aztecs’ and their friends and family members plenty to cheer about. LA Daily News

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San Jose court ruling spells setback for Rocketship, charter schools
The South Bay movement to fast-track the opening of charter schools has been dealt a setback, with a court ruling that county school boards can’t override local ordinances while deciding where to place campuses. In a widely anticipated order, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Franklin Bondonno has ruled that the Santa Clara County Board of Education lacks authority to exempt charter schools from zoning rules. Contra Costa Times

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Parent innovation leads to unusual solution to school frustrations
Tamara Hernandez isn’t the first parent to be underwhelmed by her local public school. But she’s solving the problem in a way not many do: she’s joining other frustrated parents to start a new school. She said the idea had been percolating in her head for some time. But the project didn’t get started until one afternoon this Winter, while brainstorming with parents about another way to bring change at the school. KPCC