CalMatters

As immigration raids shake families, school counselors help students cope with fear and loss

Immigration raids are straining student mental health in California, where many children have undocumented parents. Experts warn the fear and separations can cause lasting anxiety and depression.

Ethnic studies was supposed to start in California schools. What happened?

The plan has stalled after funding was left out of the state budget and debates over curriculum fueled controversy. While some districts have launched the class on their own, others have delayed implementation amid concerns about cost and content.

Homeless student counts in California are up. Some say that’s a good thing

In the latest state enrollment data released, California had 230,443 homeless students—a 9.3% increase from the previous year.

The ‘science of reading’ won’t be required in California schools, at least for now

California lawmakers reached a deal to fund phonics-based reading instruction without requiring it, marking progress in a long-running debate. The compromise comes amid persistently low statewide literacy scores.

Newsom lays out plan for CA career education

The plan lays out the state’s approach to job training and education programs, but critics have said the proposals are unclear. At the same time, some for-profit career colleges and trade schools face issues with licensing or other violations.

A loophole in California law makes it hard to prosecute threats against schools. Will lawmakers close it?

After a man threatened an elementary school in her district, Assemblymember Darshana Patel wants to close a loophole in the law that makes it harder to prosecute threats against places than individuals.

Culture war clashes cost schools billions, researchers report

School conflicts have escalated since the 2020-21 school year, after disputes over pandemic policies such as school closures and mask requirements. During the 2023-24 school year, culturally divisive conflicts cost public K12 schools $3.2 billion nationwide, according to researchers.

Will new bond funds be enough to rebuild LA schools—and all of California’s other crumbling schools?

Some schools destroyed years ago in the Sonoma and Butte fires are just now reopening. The long, expensive process of rebuilding in LA may eat up much of the money voters approved in November for school repairs statewide.

How California can fix its school crisis. Two projects point the way

Two recent projects to improve academic skills indicate that learning can be improved with sustained effort that uses proven techniques and shuns trendy short-term fixes that school systems often adopt in their desperate efforts to raise test scores.

Fewer kids are going to California public schools. Is there a right way to close campuses?

Declining enrollment, the end of pandemic relief grants and state budget uncertainty have combined to put hundreds of California school districts in precarious financial straits. For some districts, closing schools may be the only way to avoid the state seizing control of operations.

How early care apprenticeships can help address California’s dire teacher shortage

California is in the midst of a decade-long and ever-present teacher shortage crisis. Since 2016, the state has invested $1.2 billion to address the issue, and while this infusion of resources seemed to help make a difference initially, there has been a 33% decline in teachers — over 5,300 total — since the 2020-21 school year.

California is banning artificial food dyes in school snacks and drinks. Here’s what the science says

Many brightly colored kids’ snacks and beverages will disappear from California schools under a new law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on Sunday that bans certain artificial food dyes from K-12 campuses.

More California schools are banning smartphones, but kids keep bringing them

At Bullard High School in Fresno, it’s easy to see the benefits of banning students’ cellphones. Bullying is down and socialization is up, principal Armen Torigian said. Enforcing the smartphone restrictions? That’s been harder.

Rural schools at risk of losing key funding

Counties with large areas of public land get federal funding that many rural schools rely on. The most recent round of payments in May will be the last unless Congress votes to extend the program.

California could require kids to learn how to manage money. Should voters decide curriculum?

Students would learn about paying for college, online banking, taxes, budgeting, credit, retirement accounts, loans, how the stock market works and other topics.