California School Boards: Navigating Democracy in Divided Times provides a glimpse at how trustees see their role, how they are handling recent and ongoing periods of contention as well as what is needed to “ensure the promise of robust, locally governed public education systems.”
Research shows streamlined access to Head Start supports all students
The benefits of participating in Head Start are well documented, but enrollment difficulties negatively impact student groups that benefit the most from strong early education opportunities, according to a recent study from the Children’s Equity Project (CEP) at Arizona State University. The report reviews research […]
California’s extreme school segregation contributes to opportunity and achievement gaps
A September report from the University of California, Los Angeles’ Civil Rights Project, Extreme Segregation and Policy Inaction in California Schools, found that the state’s school remain deeply segregated by race and class, contributing to educational inequities. The report begins by explaining its methodology is […]
Surveys on cellphone restrictions show room for compromise between students and administrators
Two recent nationally representative RAND Corporation surveys show that student views of cellphone bans may be softening as more schools move to restrict access to devices during the school day. “The debate over cellphone policies in schools reveals a complex balancing act between ensuring school […]
Updates on the school bus driver shortage
Some progress has been made in addressing the national bus driver shortage but K-12 schools are still impacted, according to an analysis by the Economy Policy Institute.
California receives D- for its open enrollment laws
Open enrollment, a policy widely supported by parents, allows students to transfer to K-12 public schools outside of their residentially assigned campus if space is available. In practice, this can allow students to find the right educational setting for them to thrive.
Report highlights growing funding advantages in some basic aid districts
In the first major study on basic aid since California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) was enacted in 2013, researchers determined that 139 districts, which serve 5.5 percent of the state’s TK-12 students, benefit from growing funding advantages.
Students at Ukiah High help to revive dormant Native language
Four seniors in the Ukiah Unified School District completed four years of study in Northern Pomo Language and Culture, marking a major milestone for Indigenous language revitalization and for public education. Two of the seniors were awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy at graduation — […]
AI, cybersecurity are top edtech priorities for states
Artificial intelligence (AI) was a top education technology (edtech) priority for states during the 2024–25 academic year, surpassing cybersecurity for the first time, according to the 2025 State EdTech Trends Report by the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) in collaboration with Whiteboard Advisors.
Incorporating the science of learning and development in teacher prep programs
A report by the Learning Policy Institute and EdPrepLab builds on recent research about how people learn and insights gained from leading-edge preparation programs. The report recommends changes that may benefit both educator preparation programs and the schools they will serve.











