blog post Public School Parents See Education Differently By David Kordus May 27, 2016 The parents of public school children are more likely than other adults to have favorable opinions about public education in California.
blog post Are K–12 Students Keeping Pace in English? By Paul Warren, Julien Lafortune Nov 1, 2018 Across all grades, growth in average SBAC test scores in English outpaced proficiency standards, but in most grades racial disparities still persist.
Report Declining Enrollment in California Schools: Fiscal Challenges and Opportunities in the Coming Decade By Paul Warren, Julien Lafortune Feb 12, 2020 Statewide K–12 enrollment is projected to fall 7% over the next 10 years. Districts with declining enrollment face fiscal pressures, as state funding is tied to the number of students they serve. Enrollment declines also have important implications for the state budget.
blog post California’s K–12 Educational Progress: Good News and Bad News By Niu Gao, Courtney Lee Apr 18, 2018 California's K–12 students have made gains in reading scores, but achievement gaps remain for English Learner, low-income, and African American and Latino students.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Rachel Lawler Apr 24, 2019 Key findings from the current survey include most Californians say charter schools are an important option for parents in low-income areas—but many express concern that charters divert funding from traditional public schools. More than half of residents across regions say teacher salaries in their community are too low. Majorities support Governor Newsom’s spending plans to expand preschool and full-day kindergarten.
Report Equitable State Funding for School Facilities By Julien Lafortune, Niu Gao Mar 14, 2022 Most funding for California’s K–12 facilities comes from local tax revenues, which depend on property wealth. State funding could potentially address wealth disparities, but it has disproportionately benefited more-affluent districts. Policymakers should prioritize equity in facility funding so that all students have access to safe and effective learning environments.
blog post Will Students without Home Internet Fall Behind During Coronavirus Shutdowns? By Niu Gao Mar 12, 2020 While most K-12 schools in California have the ability to deliver classes online, disparities in home internet access could put some students at a disadvantage.
Report California’s Future: Education By Laura Hill, Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Niu Gao ... Jan 15, 2021 California has begun moving toward a “cradle to career” approach that connects early childhood, K–12, and higher education more closely. But COVID-19 has disrupted learning, funding, and progress toward improving student outcomes and has exacerbated racial and economic equity gaps.