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Vergara’s grim implications for CA Dems ignored

When Asian-American lawmakers objected to efforts by black and Latino lawmakers to gut Proposition 209 and bring racial quotas back to college admissions and other state government programs, the California media thought that was news. Nexis shows 85 stories about

In CA, Smarter Balanced testing shapes fate of Common Core

James Poulos June 13, 2014

It’s crunch time for California supporters of the new Common Core educational standards. On several fronts, key business, education and political interests have heightened their push for the changes. Although opposition remains strong, pro-Common Core groups sense that a tipping point may be

Changing CA politics: What’s the biggest potential shift?

Chris Reed June 7, 2014

The open-primary success of relatively moderate GOP candidates in statewide races has prompted lots of thumbsucker punditry lately. For example, Dan Walters sees Tuesday’s results as suggesting a mild GOP comeback. There’s also the evidence that the Legislature isn’t as

CA Dems may finally have CTA vs. Latino showdown

Chris Reed June 4, 2014

As I’ve written many times over the years — here’s one example — the stability and durability of the California Democratic coalition is downright peculiar. Why? Because the interests of its richest, most powerful faction — the California Teachers Association

CA Democrats mismanage campaign war-chests

John March 8, 2014

California Democrats converge on the Los Angeles Convention Center this weekend for the party’s annual state convention. Although Democrats face two scandals involving members of the state Senate, the party is well positioned for the 2014 campaign cycle. The party

Schools chief already wants to extend Prop. 30 taxes

Katy Grimes January 13, 2014

Only one year into Proposition 30’s five-year life, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson has already called for an extension of the 2012 ballot initiative. Set to expire in 2018, it was sold to voters as a temporary tax.

In reform showdown, who does Obama administration target? Disabled CA students

Chris Reed October 31, 2013

During the budget theater of recent months, the Obama administration’s ruthless determination to make cuts hurt the public was on display over and over again. Cancel a beloved air show that actually makes money? Sure. Deny death benefits to famiiles

No Nixon-goes-to-China for Obama on CA school-testing retreat

Chris Reed September 16, 2013

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said last week that testing students was vital to measuring their progress and to improving student and teacher performance. Duncan warned California not to proceed with a reckless move away from standardized testing. That didn’t

A dramatic illustration of teacher unions’ grip on Sacramento

Chris Reed September 10, 2013

The Obama administration has had enough of the California Teachers Association and the California Federation of Teachers and how they use their clout to undercut education reform. “Hours before a key vote in the Legislature, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

State schools chief: President Obama is a corporate stooge

CalWatchdog Staff April 15, 2013

April 15, 2013 By Chris Reed UC Berkeley linguistics professor George Lakoff’s blueprint for Democrats from a decade ago continues to reverberate. Lakoff stressed the emphasis of framing issues with the proper language and spoke of the power of metaphors.