On California
This blog was written by Charles Taylor Kerchner, a professor and research scholar at Claremont Graduate University. He’s a veteran policy researcher and has written extensively about education reform and teacher unions. His writing of this blog was supported by a grant to CGU from the Stuart Foundation, which did not exert editorial control or approval. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: California.
Education
Opinion
Where in the world is @CTKerchner?
'On California' will no longer appear among the active blogs on the EdWeek.org menu. But it will still be available in the archive.
Education
Opinion
Time for a Rest
This post marks the 281th article published on 'On California'. It's author and editor need a rest and to, at least, taste the pleasures of retirement. Thanks to all of you.
Education Funding
Opinion
'Mass Personalization' Drives Learning Experiment at AltSchool
It's hard and historically expensive to personalize learning. AltSchool's founders think they know how and that an exponential change in learning will follow.
School & District Management
Opinion
Exploring The Power of Networked Improvement Communities
Labeling schools as failing and sending in experts with packaged programs has been ineffective in improving schools. 'Networked Improvement Communities' are a promising alternative.
Standards & Accountability
Opinion
Actions in Sacramento Undermining Real Accountability
Education Trust-West executive director Ryan Smith argues that promise of local control requires greater transparency in creating state and local accountability measures.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Are School Police Feeding the School-to-Prison Pipeline?
School police are a presence in many schools, particularly those in low-income neighborhoods where many students of color live. Marquisha Spencer asks whether they criminalize ordinary misbehavior.
School & District Management
Opinion
2018 Election Will Rock California Education
Next year's California election will be both a referendum on the massive changes in education finance and testing enacted during Jerry Brown governorship and a test of the political coalition that made those changes possible.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Why Don't More Unions Perform Like This?
The potential of professional grade unionism raises the question, "what don't more unions and managements act this way." They would if the law required or encouraged them to.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
Stop Charter School War; Build a New Learning System
The Charter School War in Los Angeles just continues a debilitating fight started nearly two decades ago. One way forward is to shift attention to designing and building fundamentally different ways of teaching and learning.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
A New School District Design for Los Angeles
If all publically financed schools in Los Angeles got substantial operating authority, what would hold the system together? Here's a sketch of a "big tent" school system design.
School & District Management
Opinion
Here's the Peace Prize for the L.A. Charter War
The election of a charter-friendly school board in Los Angeles will not end the Charter School Wars. Civic activists need to promote a larger goal and seize the peace dividend.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
Remembering Judy Burton, a School Reform Pioneer
Judy Burton, who headed Los Angeles school reform programs in the 1990s and then formed the Alliance charter organization, has died.
Education Funding
Opinion
A Shameful Big-Money School Board Election in L.A.
The election of two charter-backed candidates for the L.A. school board is less a victory for reform than a demonstration of expensive trench warfare and dysfunctional politics. And it is spreading throughout California.
Education
Opinion
Single-Sex Schools Are a Civil Rights Assault
A bill to promote single-sex schooling is making its way through the California Assembly. Three experts in the field see the legislation as wrongheaded and an affront to gender equality.
