Education Ban cell phones in all K-12 schools? Not so fast, say school officials By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters | May 15, 2026 Under pressure from school boards and administrators, lawmakers scaled back a bill that would have required such a blanket ban.
Education California voters are about to elect a new state superintendent. It’s barely on the radar By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters | May 12, 2026 Nearly a third of California voters are undecided in the race for state superintendent of public instruction.
California One school, 9 students. CA pays over $100,000 per kid to keep small schools open By Carolyn Jones | Calmatters | May 1, 2026 As urban districts grapple with the threat of school closures, rural schools face an even more heart-wrenching scenario: close the school and decimate the town.
Education California’s math scores are abysmal. Is it time to screen kindergartners for basic math skills? By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters | April 28, 2026 A new bill would require schools to screen all kindergartners, first- and second-graders for basic math skills.
Education California teachers ‘tread lightly’ for America’s 250th as they navigate competing narratives By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters | March 11, 2026 CA is taking steps to ensure K-12 students learn to have respectful debates, get involved in their communities and understand their rights.
Education Wave of California teacher strikes ‘is no coincidence’ By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters | February 27, 2026 There is a strategic, statewide effort by the CA Teachers Association to boost salaries, benefits — and get the public’s attention.
Education Child care in California was already hard to find — the immigration crackdown has made it worse By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters | February 2, 2026 In California more than a million parents rely on a childcare workforce that's almost 40% foreign-born.
Education Trans youth still have a safe haven in California, but that could change By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters | January 23, 2026 Lawsuits and Trump administration policy changes targeting trans youth could put some California policies in jeopardy.
Education This change could deliver billions more dollars to California schools. Here’s the trade-off By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters | January 7, 2026 Basing funding on enrollment, instead of attendance, could mean an extra $6 billion for schools.
Education Will this be the year California makes kindergarten mandatory? By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters | January 5, 2026 California is one of 32 states that doesn’t require 5-year-olds to attend school.