by Susan Henry In biological terms, fitness is defined by the ability to survive and reproduce — a condition dependent on how well an organism has adapted to its environment. As leaders in public education, we are operating in an extremely difficult environment. The political […]
Category: Closing the Achievement Gap
Closing the Achievement Gap
Storm Relief Needed For Pension Increase Crisis
by Susan Henry After you’ve survived a few financial storms, you begin to recognize clouds forming on the horizon. So, experienced weather watchers know a menacing front is headed for California schools in the form of major pension increases. Rising pension costs exceed new revenues […]
California Arts Education Data Project Provides Road Map for Districts
by Patricia Wayne All students in California deserve to have access to high quality arts education that will provide them with important skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive workforce. But up until now, we lacked the tools to show us where (and how) […]
State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Commends California’s Continued Progress in Advanced Placement Exams
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced that annual Advanced Placement results released today show that the number of California public high school graduates taking and demonstrating success in AP courses continues to climb. California placed fifth in the nation in the percentage (28.5 […]
Dollars for Scholars: Scholarshare Grants Available for CA Schools
State Treasurer John Chiang and ScholarShare recognize that students, parents, teachers and administrators are spending more time on endless fundraising events to pay for equipment and programs that are essential to providing kids with well-rounded educations. That is why ScholarShare is launching a new grant program […]
A Conversation With CSBA President Susan Henry on education leadership & challenges in 2017
California Schools magazine talks with CSBA President Susan Henry about her background and what led her to become engaged with public education. A registered nurse and an artist that went back to college at age 50, her life has centered on education, her family and […]
Edward James Olmos discusses a life of advocacy
Born in East Los Angeles, Edward James Olmos has enjoyed a distinguished career as an artist and as an activist. Olmos initially gained notice as a rock musician in Los Angeles. He then transitioned to a career on the stage and on screen. He earned […]
Californians believe schools need more funding — will they vote that way?
by Vernon M. Billy This November’s election will be unlike any we’ve seen in recent memory. Our Presidential election cycle has been, shall we say, “unique.” While California’s upcoming election isn’t nearly as interesting, we do have a whopping 17 statewide ballot measures that voters […]
Changing the Story of Summer
by Michael Funk Which sounds more appealing to you for a summer activity: sitting in a stuffy school classroom doing remedial work, or hopping on a bus with your friends to go chase minnows in a nearby river? The traditional paradigm for summer learning has […]
Charter Local Edition: A conversation with California School Boards Association President Chris Ungar
“Charter schools are here to stay and where CSBA is landing on that is … we need to look at what’s good for kids … what’s going to help kids achieve and what are we going to do close that achievement gap. If it’s good […]