Covering education in California and beyond

Credit: Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for EDUimages

Credit: Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for EDUimages

California schools struggle with how or whether to use AI tools in classrooms

Betty Márquez Rosales

Close vetting of artificial intelligence programs, strong data protections, ongoing feedback from school community remain critical in AI implementation.

March 10, 2026
Technology
EdSource

EdSource

CSU sues to challenge ‘lawless overreach’ in federal Title IX probe at San José State

Amy DiPierro

A federal investigation accused San José State of violating civil rights law by allowing a transgender student-athlete to compete in women’s volleyball.

March 9, 2026

Number of the Week

13

California’s ranking in per-pupil spending compared to other states

Latest News Briefs

Monday, March 9, 2026 — 9:31 am

U.S. colleges face steep drop in international student visas
Monday, March 9, 2026 — 9:31 am

Dublin Unified teachers go on strike following months of negotiations
Friday, March 6, 2026 — 2:57 pm

Thurmond calls for return of 6-year-old California deaf student deported to Colombia
Friday, March 6, 2026 — 9:46 am

Seaside teacher’s aide arrested for allegedly abusing special education students

View All

Latest News

View all

Credit: Lasherica Thornton/ EdSource

Credit: Lasherica Thornton/ EdSource

California governor pushes for permanent state funding of community schools

Lasherica Thornton

Following $4 billion in a school model that ensures students are healthy, engaged and supported, funding could be in the state’s funding formula.

March 9, 2026
Community Schools & Partnerships
Credit: Courtesy of Fall River Joint Unified

Credit: Courtesy of Fall River Joint Unified

California lawsuit asks judge to halt billions for school repairs until state commits to grant it equitably

John Fensterwald

The lawsuit argues the state formula for modernization funding condemns students in many property-poor districts to schools with substandard buildings.

March 6, 2026
Facilities
Courtesy of East Los Angeles College

Courtesy of East Los Angeles College

Why this college president came out of retirement to help East Los Angeles navigate the Trump era

Michael Burke

Monte Perez said he was motivated to take on the presidency at East Los Angeles College amid the Trump administration’s attacks on higher education and fears among undocumented students of deportation.

March 6, 2026
Community Colleges
Credit: Teamsters Local 2010 / Facebook

Credit: Teamsters Local 2010 / Facebook

Cal State unions push to cap executive pay, shield raises for organized workers

Amy DiPierro

Cal State increased presidents’ salaries while arguing that a lack of state funding prevents permanent raises for some organized workers.

March 5, 2026
California State University

Podcast: Education Beat

A weekly podcast that gets to the heart of education issues in California and beyond.

March 5, 2026

California teachers on the picket line amid shrinking school budgets

Teachers are striking for better pay, benefits and class size. But school districts say their budgets are extremely tight and they’re contemplating layoffs.

EdSource · California teachers on the picket line amid shrinking school budgets

Recent Episodes

View All

Commentaries

View all

How to deepen California’s commitment to K-12 civic learning
By Erica Hodgin

Oakland can’t afford to dismantle its literacy infrastructure
By Sanam Jorjani

Even in a marathon, the finish line is not the point
By Ji Y. Son

Featured special project

L.A. Fires: Schools mourn losses, celebrate progress on anniversary

FEATURED TOPIC

Featured Data

L.A. Fires: Tracking the fires’ impact on eight schools after one year

Artículos más recientes en español

Credit: alarico / iStock

Credit: alarico / iStock

¿Cuántas escuelas de California están dentro de la zona de seguridad de 3,200 pies contra nuevos pozos petroleros?

Justin Allen

February 26, 2026
Bienestar Estudiantil
Credit: Antioch High School

Credit: Antioch High School

Estudiantes se convierten en apoyo vital para sus compañeros que enfrentan suspensiones y problemas de salud mental

Vani Sanganeria

En la Escuela Preparatoria Antioch, en el condado de Contra Costa, los estudiantes se inscriben para convertirse en promotores de apoyo entre pares para ayudar a sus compañeros mediante consejería, tutoría, mediación de conflictos e intervenciones breves sobre el consumo de sustancias y la salud mental.

February 25, 2026
Bienestar Estudiantil

Stay up to date with California education

Get a daily digest on all you need to know about California schools and districts.

Topic Focus

EdSource’s quick guides make complex education issues easier to understand. These brief explanatory articles provide an introduction to key trends, systems, institutions and debates in California education and the context you need to go deeper. Have a suggestion for a topic that would benefit from a similar explainer? Let us know!

Credit: Liv Ames / EdSource

Credit: Liv Ames / EdSource

Celebrating a religious or cultural holiday that falls on a school day? Here’s what to know

Mallika Seshadri

California’s Education Code allows students to take off from school for religious and cultural reasons, with limits.

November 26, 2025
Quick Guides
Credit: Pexels

Credit: Pexels

Understanding the California School Dashboard: What parents need to know

John Fensterwald

Read on to find the answers: What’s the dashboard’s purpose? Why are there colors? Why can’t I compare schools? How might the dashboard be improved?

November 13, 2025
Quick Guides
Courtesy of UCSF Dyslexia Center

Courtesy of UCSF Dyslexia Center

What you need to know about the new reading screenings | Quick Guide

Zaidee Stavely

A 2023 California law requires all students in kindergarten, first and second grade to be screened for risk of reading difficulties, including dyslexia.

October 10, 2025
Quick Guides

Featured Topics

Featured Special Project

L.A. Fires: One year later

One year after the L.A. fires, schools are on varied paths to recovery. This project looks into the major milestones and obstacles faced by Pasadena Unified and Los Angeles Unified and what lies ahead.

Credit: Ted Soqui/SIPA USA/Sipa via AP Images

Credit: Ted Soqui/SIPA USA/Sipa via AP Images

L.A. Fires: Schools mourn losses, celebrate progress on anniversary

Mallika Seshadri And Betty Márquez Rosales

A year after the Los Angeles fires, communities remain strong, losses remain significant, and efforts to rebuild are underway.

January 5, 2026
L.A. Fires: One year later
Credit: Courtesy of Joe Ford

Credit: Courtesy of Joe Ford

L.A. Fires: A year later, four who served students

Mallika Seshadri And Betty Márquez Rosales

Here’s how four unsung heroes, among hundreds, stepped up to support students in the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires.

January 5, 2026
L.A. Fires: One year later

Video

View all

What can schools afford? Experts discuss teachers strikes and funding priorities

An EdSource roundtable examined how districts can balance teachers’ pay demands against classroom needs and volatile state funding.
California schools struggle with funding and equity amid federal shake-ups

An EdSource panel of educational leaders and policy experts discussed the impact of federal actions and California’s response.
Is college worth the cost? Experts discuss higher education benefits and challenges

Despite concerns about college debt and the rise of AI, experts at an EdSource roundtable emphasized the long-term benefits of higher education and suggested colleges do more to help students transition to college and provide skills for a changing economy.

Most Popular Stories

Credit: Allison Shelley / American Education

Credit: Allison Shelley / American Education

Survey reveals almost 50% of California teachers may quit teaching soon

Diana Lambert

California teachers have slightly better morale than their peers in other states, but more of them are planning to leave the profession in the next decade, according to Education Week’s State of Teaching report.

March 4, 2026
Teachers
Credit: Courtesy of San Diego Education Association

Credit: Courtesy of San Diego Education Association

Special education has become a flash point in negotiations with teachers

Emma Gallegos

With a growing number of students qualifying for special education, teachers are struggling to meet the needs of these students while also dealing with unsustainable caseloads.

February 24, 2026
Special Education
Credit: alarico / iStock

Credit: alarico / iStock

How many California schools are in the 3,200-foot buffer zone where the state bans new drilling?

Justin Allen

The Trump administration is suing California over a law regulating oil and gas wells close to schools, homes and other sensitive sites. How many schools stand to be impacted?

February 23, 2026
Infographics and Maps
Credit: Courtesy of Community College Baccalaureate Association

Credit: Courtesy of Community College Baccalaureate Association

California Community Colleges approve 3 new bachelor’s degrees over CSU’s objections

Michael Burke

Previously, community college leaders had not typically approved degrees that faced active objections from CSU. A recent report from WestEd, commissioned by the community college system, may prove to be a crucial turning point.

February 20, 2026
Community Colleges

Number of the Week

13

California’s ranking in per-pupil spending compared to other states

Latest News Briefs

U.S. colleges face steep drop in international student visas

Dublin Unified teachers go on strike following months of negotiations

Thurmond calls for return of 6-year-old California deaf student deported to Colombia

Seaside teacher’s aide arrested for allegedly abusing special education students

Latest News

Podcast: Education Beat

Recent Episodes

When teens counsel teens: Why peer support programs are growing

Arizona State University fights for California financial aid

Commentaries

How to deepen California’s commitment to K-12 civic learning By Erica Hodgin

Oakland can’t afford to dismantle its literacy infrastructure By Sanam Jorjani

Even in a marathon, the finish line is not the point By Ji Y. Son

Featured special project

L.A. Fires: Schools mourn losses, celebrate progress on anniversary

FEATURED TOPIC

2026-27 State Budget

Featured Data

L.A. Fires: Tracking the fires’ impact on eight schools after one year

Artículos más recientes en español

Stay up to date with California education

Featured Topics

Video

Most Popular Stories

How to deepen California’s commitment to K-12 civic learning
By Erica Hodgin

Oakland can’t afford to dismantle its literacy infrastructure
By Sanam Jorjani

Even in a marathon, the finish line is not the point
By Ji Y. Son