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Independent, objective, nonpartisan research
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K–12 Education

Evaluating resources and policies that improve student outcomes

photo - Teacher Delivering Instruction Online
Report · April 2021

Distance Learning Strategies in California Schools

photo - Backs of Elementary Students in a Row Jumping
Report · April 2021

Building California’s Cradle-to-Career Data System

photo - High School Graduate Smiling and Hugging Mother After Graduation Ceremony
Report · February 2021

Does Raising High School Graduation Requirements Improve Student Outcomes?

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Blog Posts

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photo - Smoke Clouds from Wildfire in Mountain View, California
September 16, 2021

Unhealthy Air May Threaten Educational Outcomes

Laurel Abowd, Julien Lafortune, Paulette Cha

photo - College Students Talking and Walking on Campus
September 15, 2021

Geography of College Enrollment in California

Cesar Alesi Perez, Hans Johnson, Vicki Hsieh

photo - Teacher and Students at Center Table in Classroom Wearing Masks
August 25, 2021

Helping California Schools Open Safely

Laura Hill, Mary Severance

photo - Student Holding Backpack
August 19, 2021

Video: Reopening K–12 Schools—A Conversation with Linda Darling-Hammond

Mary Severance

Events

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Oct 7
Upcoming

Targeted K–12 Funding and Student Outcomes

October 7, 2021 · 11:00 am - 11:45 am

Reopening K–12 Schools: A Conversation with Linda Darling-Hammond

August 10, 2021

Fact Sheet

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photo - Student Distance Learning from Home
February 2021

The Digital Divide in Education

Niu Gao, Joseph Hayes

photo - Preschool Students and Teacher Coloring
April 2019

Public Preschools in California

Caroline Danielson, Tess Thorman

photo - Yellow Pencils in a Row
November 2018

Financing California’s Public Schools

Patrick Murphy, Jennifer Paluch

Featured Blog Post · August 25, 2021

Helping California Schools Open Safely

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Fact Cards

41 California’s rank among states for share of high school graduates who directly enroll in four-year college.
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Enrollment fell nearly 3% in California’s public K–12 schools between 2019–20 and 2020–21.
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Nearly 40% of California’s schoolchildren are either current or former English Learners.
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Schools were a key source of food for low-income families despite closures during the pandemic.
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29% Share of K–12 students who lack reliable internet service at home.
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A majority of the 6 million students in California’s public schools are “high need”—low-income, English Learner (EL), or foster youth.
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Meet the Team

Niu Gao

Senior Fellow

Email 415-291-4491
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Joseph Hayes

Research Associate

Email 415-291-4438
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Laura Hill

Policy Director and Senior Fellow

Email 415-291-4424
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Julien Lafortune

Research Fellow

Email 415-291-4473
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Emmanuel Prunty

Research Associate

Email 415-291-4431
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