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Why CTA is spending millions to pass Prop. 55

California voters face a daunting challenge in November in that they’ll be asked to become familiar with a stunning 17 ballot measures. Some consultants fear that this will overwhelm many voters, who will choose either to vote no on everything

3 new studies rap how school ‘reform’ law is working

Chris Reed April 19, 2016

In 2013, after working with the Legislature for months on a comprehensive overhaul of California’s public school finances, Gov. Jerry Brown signed the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). The governor called the law “historic” and hailed its dual goals: providing

CA schools pass weakened assessments

James Poulos January 6, 2016

Californians troubled by the public school drive toward statewide standardized testing now face a reformed — but weaker — system of assessment. Two separate policy changes fueled the about-face. At the federal level, Congress turned its back on No Child Left Behind,

Many CA English learners classified as learning disabled

Chris Reed October 28, 2015

A new study of how English-learner students are taught in California raises profound questions about how seriously the state and many school districts take their responsibility to these students. The study — prepared by researchers from Stanford, UC Santa Cruz,

CA Board of Education sides with teachers union on school funding

Chris Reed June 22, 2015

The State Board of Education, led by Gov. Jerry Brown’s longtime ally Michael Kirst (right), has decided to back up state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson’s interpretation of a key state education reform, the 2013 Local Control Funding Formula

Reformers get help in fight over school funding law

Chris Reed May 31, 2015

Education reformers and advocates for poor communities have a new tool in the fight over implementation of a 2013 law that was supposed to provide extra help to millions of struggling California students. The Local Control Funding Formula — championed

Brown may hint at Vergara plans with state education board picks

Chris Reed January 17, 2015

Gov. Jerry Brown has been vague about whether he agrees with the incendiary premise of last June’s decision in the Vergara case: that state teacher tenure and job protection laws are so likely to steer poor teachers to struggling mostly

Teachers win Torlakson battle, but does Brown want them to win war?

Chris Reed November 7, 2014

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson’s defeat of reformer and fellow Democrat Marshall Tuck on Tuesday prompted analysis pieces that outlined how California’s union-dominated education establishment had rang up another win. While Tuesday night was grim for liberals, embattled teachers

Union-backed Torlakson beating reformer Tuck

John Seiler November 4, 2014

It looks like the state’s ultra-powerful teachers unions won another one. Early returns show incumbent State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson defeating reformer Marshall Tuck, 55-45. The unions’ strategy of spending tens of millions of dollars — all of

AFT paper backs Torlakson

John Seiler October 24, 2014

One of the most influential campaign documents for the Nov. 4 election is seen by few people: “Perspective,” by the community College Council of the California Federation of Teachers; which is part of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. Physical