March 4, 2010 was a day of protest throughout California as students, parents, and teachers took to the streets to voice frustration with deep cuts to K-12 education as well as to public colleges and universities.
For the coming school year, the state faces thousands of teacher and administrator layoffs along with increased class [...]
Student Protesters Defend California Education
California Announces High School Exit Exam Results
When State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell released results for the 2008-09 high school exit exam on September 2, he was “pleased to see that these results show that California’s high school students are continuing to meet the challenge of higher expectations.” This despite the fact that nearly 1 in 10 of California’s class [...]
California Schools Face “Paralyzing” Cuts – Ballot Measure Outlook Not Promising
With overwhelming state budget deficits looming, California’s schools anticipate layoffs of thousands of teachers, larger class sizes, school closures, and possibly a shortened school year. Public schools are poised to lose counselors, nurses and librarians as well as funding for athletic programs, art, music, and technical education. Jack O’Connell, state Superintendent of Public Instruction, says [...]
8th-grade Algebra Mandate Blocked
A mandate to make California the first state to require algebra testing for all eighth-graders was blocked by a judge on Friday, December 19.
Despite opposition from California’s School Superintendent, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the State Board of Education endorsed a plan to require Algebra 1 testing for all eighth-graders beginning in 2011. Opposition groups sued, [...]
California Only State to Receive Passing Grade in College Affordability
A report by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education concludes that 49 states flunk college affordability. California passed, but its C grade is skewed due to the relatively low tuition at community colleges.
Does Algebra-for-all Add Up?
Last July, the California state Board of Education voted to require Algebra 1 testing for all eighth-graders beginning in 2011. Currently, Algebra I is a requirement to graduate from high school. Proponents believe the algebra mandate will raise student achievement while critics maintain this policy will set kids up for failure and contribute to increased [...]
