Tool / Toolkit
California School Dashboard
Public Advocates
A handout presenting data on measuring school success based on a wider range of information on student outcomes.
Topic: Systems Change
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Resources Often Don’t Match Rhetoric For Restorative Justice In California Schools
Children Now
An article exploring the rise of restorative justice in California schools as an alternative to traditional punitive disciplinary measures, highlighting how some school districts are not allocating sufficient resources to support and implement restorative justice practices, which may hinder its effectiveness and lead to backlash.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
African-American Students Would Get Extra Aid Under California’s K-12 Funding Formula In Proposal Before Legislature
Children Now
An article about California bill AB 2635, which proposed additional funding for California districts with African-American students to address the persistent low academic achievement of these students and correct the failure of the existing Local Control Funding Formula in addressing their needs.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Facing Unprepared Kindergartners, A Rural School District Restores Preschool For All
Children Now
An article describing how the Lindsay Unified School District in California implemented universal preschool, allowing every child from birth to 4 years old, regardless of family income, to attend a preschool program for free, with the aim of preparing students for kindergarten and reducing disparities in early learning opportunities.
Framework/Guide
Silent Recession
WestEd
A investigation of why California school districts are underwater despite increases in funding.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Districts Must Do More To Reduce Low-Income Schools’ Share Of Inexperienced, Ineffective Teachers Under New Federal Law
Children Now
An article about California's efforts to address disparities in student achievement and the distribution of experienced and effective teachers in schools, as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Story / Case Study / Commentary
How Trump Repeal Of Obama-Era School Discipline Guidelines Could Affect California
Children Now
An article discussing the potential repeal of Obama-era school discipline reform guidance by U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and its impact on California's discipline reform efforts, with civil rights and youth advocates expressing concern over the possible consequences for students of color and those with disabilities.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Opinion: California Still Lacks School-Spending Transparency
Children Now
An op-ed highlighting the lack of transparency in California's education funding system, particularly concerning money intended to support vulnerable student groups. Calls for a clear and accessible system to track and report how funds are spent to ensure they benefit those who need it most.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Disappointing But Not Surprising — California’s ESSA Plan Gets Some of The Harshest Feedback Yet From Washington
Children Now
An article describing the criticism from the federal Department of Education regarding California's plan to improve schools under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and highlighting the concerns of parents and advocates about the lack of details and accountability in the plan.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Gov. Brown Proposes Ambitious Education Agenda In His Final State Budget
Children Now
A discussion of California Governor Jerry Brown's proposed education spending in his 2018-19 budget, which included funding to address shortages in special education teachers, connecting career pathways programs with community colleges, and allocating more resources to the state's school accountability system.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
When It Comes To Education Policy, It’s ‘The California Way’ vs. Betsy Devos
Children Now
An article highlighting California's revised plan to satisfy the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was met with criticism from the federal Department of Education, leading to a potential standoff between the state and federal government over education policies and accountability.
Research/Report
The Promise of Performance Assessments
Learning Policy Institute
A report outlining current trends, progress, and possibilities for fostering more authentic ways to assess students' competencies and mastery of skills needed for college, work, and civic life.
Policy Brief/Proposal
Implementing LCFF: Always Room for Improvement
American Institutes for Research
A brief examining the California statewide system of support for local education agencies.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
24 Ideas For Improving The Local Control Funding Formula
Children Now
A collection of recommendations from 24 school leaders, student advocates, legislators, and others for the most important improvements needed to make California's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) for effective, equitable, and truer to its promise.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Jerry Brown’s Dilemma: Fix School Funding Formula Now Or Watch Others Do It Later
Children Now
An article exploring potential improvements to California's Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to address criticisms related to fiscal transparency, low funding for basic expenses, and the burden of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Deep Learning: Engage the World Change the World
Michael Fullan Enterprises Inc.
A book describing deep learning and how it can mobilize complex, whole-system change and transform learning for all students.
Policy Brief/Proposal
Ella T. v. State of California: Complaint
Public Counsel
The Complaint for Ella T. vs. State of California, the lawsuit brought by students, parents, and advocacy groups to vindicate the right of all students to access literacy.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
California Revises How State’s ‘School Dashboard’ Is Calculated, Moves Several Districts Out Of Lowest-Performing Category
Children Now
An article about the changes made by the California Board of Education to the California School Dashboard's rating system's decision to move dozens of schools and districts out of the red category (lowest-performing) to the orange category due to concerns about the number of low-performing schools.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
Stagnant California Test Scores Pose Problem; State Board May Rejigger How To Rate Districts
Children Now
An article describing the challenge faced by the California State Board of Education as stagnant test results could require hundreds of school districts to seek county assistance due to their failure to raise English language arts and math scores, prompting consideration of changes to the criteria for rating schools and districts to reduce the number of poorly performing districts.
Story / Case Study / Commentary
What A ‘Technical’ Tweak To The California School Dashboard Means
Children Now
An article highlighting concerns raised by education advocates about the California School Dashboard's decision to "tweak" the numbers, moving dozens of schools and districts out of the red (lowest-performing) category to orange, which may give the impression of lower standards and make it harder for parents to understand the actual performance of schools.