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Charter critics have potent new tool to block approvals, renewals

In an effort to portray a far-reaching bill as a compromise between charter schools and teacher unions, Gov. Gavin Newsom invited leaders of both groups as well as state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurman to recent signing ceremonies for

Push for weaker requirements for reading teachers quickly stalls

Chris Reed July 25, 2019

The California Teachers Association is having one of its best sessions in years, winning support for a crackdown on charter schools and unusual direct state assistance for districts to pay for ballooning pension costs – freeing up money for teacher

In school superintendent race, it’s Democratic reformer vs. union ally

Chris Reed February 13, 2018

The 2018 race for state superintendent of public instruction may not have an incumbent but is likely to feel like an encore of the 2014 race, pitting a Democrat aligned with the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of

Happy talk belies L.A. Unified’s grim financial picture

Chris Reed June 23, 2017

The board of the Los Angeles Unified School District passed a $7.5 billion 2017-18 budget this week on a 5-1 vote with Superintendent Michelle King touting the fact that the spending plan doesn’t include teacher layoffs or significant classroom disruptions.

California voters poised to legalize marijuana

James Poulos November 4, 2016

Despite a mixed bag of support for the many propositions on California’s voluminous ballot, legalized recreational in-state marijuana use appears to be headed from far-off dream to dawning reality. “Last month, the two most prestigious California public opinion outfits

Charter school critiques: reasonable or political?

Chris Reed August 11, 2016

The California charter school phenomenon of rapid growth continues. More than 570,000 California students attended charters last school year — about 9 percent of total state enrollment — and the number would be considerably higher if charters could accommodate all

State attorney general and charter school haggle over education settlement

James Poulos July 18, 2016

California Senate candidate Kamala Harris has kicked over a hornet’s nest in a big but contentious settlement with the nation’s largest online charter school. Not only has K12 refused to admit wrongdoing, despite Harris’s public allegations, but the organization has also

New LAUSD chief avoids district’s grim fiscal picture

Chris Reed January 18, 2016

Michelle King was promoted to superintendent of the massive Los Angeles Unified School District last week and has since spoken about her hopes for educational improvements, her interest in single-sex schools and her doubts about philanthropist Eli Broad’s goal of

Broad gets ammo in push to expand L.A. charter schools

Chris Reed January 1, 2016

As a huge fight draws near over charter schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District between the California Teachers Association and billionaire philanthropist and school reformer Eli Broad, a massive new study by UC Berkeley researchers gives Broad ammunition

Four bills could wrap charter schools in red tape

John Seiler March 29, 2015

Since their introduction in California 23 years ago, charter schools have grown like kudzu. According to the California Charter Schools Association, the state now boasts 1,184 charter schools, teaching an estimated 547,800 students. Charters are public schools that generally work