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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: California.
School & District Management
Opinion
How Adding Another Person to a Conversation Builds Capacity
In this second part of an interview with superintendent Devin Vodička and professor Alan J. Daly, they talk about how the simple act of adding one more person to a conversation can triple the power of a network.
School & District Management
Opinion
How Creating Networks Builds Winning School Districts
The Vista Unified School District won a XQ super school prize. Superintendent Devin Vodička attributes success to deliberately creating relational networks. Here, a conversation with the superintendent and University of California San Diego professor Alan J. Daly.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
The Fossils Are Old; The Scientists Are Young
Elementary school students do real science in a partnership between L.A. Summit Prep and the La Brea Tar Pits funded by the National Science Foundation.
School & District Management
Opinion
A Proposal to Revive Local Taxing Authority for Calif. Schools
Even in the best of times, California public schools, face lean financing compared to large states with comparable costs of living. Legislative expert Rick Simpson wants to give local districts more taxing authority.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Solar Panels Electrify Student Success
In Temecula, California, Blaine Boyer uses solar panels, painted guitars, and dragon lizards, to teach STEM, motivate students, and plant the seeds of adulthood in reluctant continuation school students.
Federal
Opinion
David Cohen on Shifting the Perception of Public Education
National Board certified teacher Kristoffer Kohl talks with another teacher and author, David Cohen, about his new book and the implications of Betsy DeVos as U.S. education secretary.
School & District Management
Opinion
Creating a Learning Community at California's Education Department
California's Department of Education has espoused creating professional learning communities. Now, as key staffers write it's trying to recreate itself in that image.
Federal
Opinion
Here's An Alternative to Betsy DeVos' Privatization Agenda
Betsy DeVos' privatization agenda will become national policy. The California counter-narrative is creating a public system that improves itself.
School & District Management
Opinion
Virtual Learning in State Parks: Tide Pools and Technology
Field trips are fun, but they are often difficult and too expensive. The California State Parks are using portable technology to allow students virtual access to tide pools, butterflies, and the gold rush, writes Brad Krey.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
It's Time to Take Betsy DeVos Seriously
The script played out. Betsy DeVos has become the most vilified U.S. education secretary in history, and she just took the oath of office. But it's time to take her ideas and her politics seriously.
Federal
Opinion
Calif. Creating a 'Counter Narrative' to Trump's America
California is positioning itself to battle Donald Trump. Behind the war that will be fought out in the classrooms and the courts lies a starkly different idea of what America is and should be.
Accountability
Opinion
Three Lessons From a Teacher-Powered Schools Conference
At more than 100 schools, teachers have gained substantial autonomy over the learning program, working conditions, personnel, and other domains. Here's what I learned by spending a weekend with them.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Are Microcredentials the Next iPhone?
Teachers have been earning credits and credentials for generations, so the claim that new microcredentials will change professional development is likely to be met with some skepticism. But as Kristoffer Kohl writes they may be the next big thing.
Federal
Opinion
Did Twitter Make Trump the President?
Whether or not Twitter was the cause of the Trump presidency, it has changed politics. New research illustrates its power.