John Fensterwald

PODCAST: Hot classrooms, leaky roofs — one student’s fight for better school facilities Miliani Rodriguez attends Coachella Valley High School, where the AC often breaks in over 100-degree heat and when it rains, the ceilings leak.

Meet Miliani Rodriguez in this week's EdSource podcast. The high school senior from Coachella Unified and named plaintiff in Miliani R v. State of California, one day will be like Serrano and Williams, synonymous with lawsuits that changed education in California

edsource.org/podcast/hot-...

EdSource readers, we'd like your thoughts about our latest survey. We take the results seriously.
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And non-readers, check us out & then share your thoughts. It's critical amid the Trump administration's retreat from public education to follow what's happening in California schools.

No cuts for schools, more funding for early literacy in Newsom’s revised budget Schools will receive a 2.3% cost of living adjustment; cuts for CSU and UC will be less than they had expected under the governor's January proposal.

What's in (big money for early literacy) and what's not (nothing for ethnic studies) in @gavinnewsom.bsky.social's May revision? A readable summary of TK to UC by my colleagues #CAbudget #CAed
edsource.org?page_id=732747

Legislative deal on reading instruction reached in the nick of time Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas called for an agreement on how to train teachers in reading instruction; when he didn’t get it, he pressured both sides to reach a deal.

Legislative deal on reading instruction reached in nick of time; hearing on AB 1458 today in Assembly Ed @edsource
#ScienceOfReading #caedu #caleg; my latest edsource.org/2025/legisla...

UC faculty to consider its own high school ethnic studies mandate Ethnic studies faculty at UC have developed course criteria that would be at odds with the state’s own mandated but unfunded model curriculum.

UC faculty to vote tomorrow on recommending its own high school #ethnicstudies mandate – at odds w/state's and unfunded; my latest via @edsource edsource.org?page_id=730893

California launches first phase of long-anticipated Cradle-to-Career data system California launched the first phase of its Cradle-to-Career data system on Tuesday. C2C will link education and workforce data to help students prepare for their futures.

Long-awaited CA's Cradle-to-Career data system #C2C up and running w/valuable info for parents, rich data for researchers TK; by @dianalambert.bsky.social edsource.org?page_id=730777 via @edsource.org

No compromise on literacy bill as hearing deadline looms English learner advocates oppose a bill to require K-5 teachers to take training in evidence-based methods, including phonics.

No compromise on literacy bill as hearing deadline looms & debate shifts to a familiar, misguided debate over phonics; my latest edsource.org?page_id=730431

Ice cream socials, fights and vomit: Why Cal State resident assistants want to unionize The students that staff dorms at CSU say their roles are expansive. Could unionizing help?

Ice cream socials, fights and vomit: Why Cal State resident assistants want to unionize edsource.org?page_id=730063

When districts face the tough job of closing schools, Manny Barbara is the go-to guy Retired Superintendent Manny Barbara has patiently guided school closures in a half-dozen San Jose-area school districts. Alum Rock Union Elementary was the most ambitious involvement and, he promises...

When districts face the tough job of closing schools, Manny Barbara is the go-to guy; my latest edsource.org?page_id=729705

Pandemic-era push to ‘build solutions’ must continue, panel says The coronavirus pandemic led to some leaders adopting innovative approaches to address daunting challenges that have long existed, a panel said.

Pandemic-era push to ‘build solutions’ must continue, panel says: ICYMI our roundtable ... a good list of resources on who's innovating, too edsource.org?page_id=729230

At community colleges, online classes remain popular years after pandemic Many community college students say they learn better in person but prefer the flexibility of taking classes online.

At community colleges, more than 40% of classes remain online classes -- double the pre-pandemic rate; by Michael Burke edsource.org?page_id=728458

ROUNDTABLE: Five years after Covid: Innovations that are driving results In much of California, recovery from the lingering effects of Covid on learning, chronic absences and students’ mental health has been slow and difficult.   However, some parents, teachers and a...

School innovation: It HAS happened post-Covid in CA; four cases producing results; check out our 1-hr roundtable. Thursday, Nov. 27 at noon; more details, register now edsource.org/broadcasts/f...

University of California to no longer require diversity statements in faculty hiring Long-standing policy is ended amid fears of reprisals from Trump administration. Critics say the change is cowardly.

#UC stays ahead of Trump, to no longer require #diversity statements from faculty applicants; critics charge cowardice; by Michael Burke edsource.org/2025/univers...

Covid’s long shadow in California: Chronic absences, student depression and the limits of money The effects of the coronavirus-related shutdown linger five years later, as measured in test scores and student engagement, especially among the Golden State's most vulnerable children.

Covid’s long shadow in California: Chronic absences, student depression and the limits of money. Where we stand 5 years later. May latest   edsource.org?page_id=728640

How to describe middling and poor test scores? State Board frets over the right words Scores on the Smarter Balanced and state science tests will soon be labeled Advanced, Proficient, Developing and Minimal.

How to describe middling and poor test scores? CA State Board frets over the right words; my latest edsource.org?page_id=727943

Job hunting is awful. California believes its ‘Career Passport’ can change that California is building an ambitious new platform called the Career Passport, a virtual portfolio that aims to showcase the skills every Californian has learned through school, in college, on the job o...

CA's digital #CareerPassport, documenting career experiences as well as degrees, could transform searching for jobs; by @emmagallegos.bsky.social
edsource.org?page_id=727807

Trump’s nominee says she may break apart, not shut down Education Department Linda McMahon aligns with the president's views on parental choice and DEI, promises to fund what Congress passes.

ICYMI – Highlights from Linda McMahon's Senate hearing on her nomination to be Trump's "last" (really?) Ed secretary #DOGE #USDoE edsource.org/2025/trumps-...

California school districts are weighed down by new costs of old sexual assaults A 2019 state law widened districts’ liability for past sexual assaults. A report found so far it spurred $2 billion to $3 billion in claims filed on students’ behalf.

CA school districts weighed down by new costs of child sexual assaults: billions in claims for victims now adults #FCMAT #CSBA my latest
edsource.org/2025/schools...

California school districts are weighed down by new costs of old sexual assaults A 2019 state law widened districts’ liability for past sexual assaults. A report found so far it spurred $2 billion to $3 billion in claims filed on students’ behalf.

CA school districts weighed down by new costs of child sexual assaults: billions in claims for victims now adults #FCMAT #CSBA my latest
edsource.org/2025/schools...

As Trump orders trans sports ban, California says its rules protecting athletes remain in place California leaders say they will continue to follow state law ensuring trans student athletes can participate on teams consistent with their identity.

Despite Trump's transgender sports ban, CA interscholastic federation pledges to uphold trans sports participation as laid out in state law; by Bob Egelko www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...

Fresno Unified teachers say district is slow-walking ethnic studies launch Though ethnic studies is not yet funded statewide, districts, such as Fresno Unified, who already require the course, are facing challenges.

Fresno teachers say district is slow-walking launch of #ethnicstudies by @lashericat.bsky.social
edsource.org/2025/fresno-...

CTA chapters band together to leverage districts for higher pay, smaller classes, more resources The California Teachers Association's "We Can't Wait" campaign plans to use the power of 32 union chapters to increase pressure on school districts to raise salaries, increase staffing and add resourc...

CA teachers in 32 districts band together to negotiate expiring contracts in new @wearecta.bsky.social strategy; by @dianalambert.bsky.social @monicav50.bsky.social edsource.org/2025/califor...

Which States Have the Fastest-Growing Achievement Gaps in 8th-Grade Math? Aldeman: Disparities between the highest and lowest performers widened in every state in the last 2 years. But the pattern is much older than that

Gap between 90% and 10% achievers in 8th grade math escalated between 2013-2024 in 8th grade math; a chasm in CA. #NAEP analysis by @chadaldeman.bsky.social www.the74million.org/article/whic...

At LA’s Homeboy Art Academy, arts education saves lives The program uses a focus on the arts as a way to empower gang-involved and formerly incarcerated youth.

Great read by @karendsouza.bsky.social on the power of art: how Homeboy ArtAcademy in LA resurrects lives #arteducation #Prop28 edsource.org/2025/at-las-...

California should continue to invest in teacher recruitment, retention, study says California has spent over $1 billion on programs to recruit and retain teachers, but it will take time to see results, according to new research.

CA should continue its $1 B investment in teacher recruitment via residencies, education grants & National Board incentives, report by LPI by @dianalambert.bsky.social edsource.org/2025/califor...

Ethics Pledges by Trump Cabinet Draw Questions and Skepticism Publicly released agreements show the vast wealth of President Trump’s cabinet picks and the uncharacteristically large list of potential conflicts of interest with which they enter office.

Trump's cabinet will be one of the wealthiest in history--with myriad conflicts of interest. His nominees have assets worth at least $1.5 billion and 467 separate conflicts requiring recusal have been identified in ethics letters so far @EricLipton.nytimes.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...

PODCAST: Ethnic studies requirement sparks debate in Palo Alto A school board meeting in Palo Alto offers a peek into an argument over whether ethnic studies should be required, and what the course should teach.

Teachers, students, parents debate #EthnicStudies, then a dramatic vote by Palo Alto's school board on mandating the course with host @zstavely.bsky.social and me – it's worth a listen
edsource.org/podcast/ethn...

What Los Angeles schools can learn from Northern California districts that survived wildfires As LA County school officials lead recovery efforts after the Palisades and Eaton fires, advice comes from two Northern California education leaders whose own schools were ravaged by fires.

What L.A. area schools can learn from NorCal districts that recovered from wildfires by Betty Márquez-Rosales edsource.org/2025/what-lo...

PODCAST: Teachers, students reel from Los Angeles fires A teacher shares the story of her family's escape, and a reporter describes the physical and emotional damage to schools and communities.

"The house is gone. Everything is gone ..." Compelling portrait of a disaster – how one teacher, one family in Altadena cope with loss from Eaton Fire & start to pick up the pieces; @edsource.org podcast w/ @mallikaseshadri.bsky.social @zstavely.bsky.social edsource.org/podcast/teac...

And his response to Trump's decision to pull out of Paris Agreement & take actions that will broil the planet

“If you don’t believe in science, believe your own damn eyes.”