John Fensterwald
@jfensterwald.bsky.social
Editor at large, EdSource
My atest: preview to important charter school hearing tomorrow before State Board: Why Aspire Public Schools is calling for a review of the charter denial for its 6-12 school in East Oakland by Oakland Unified & upheld by Alameda Couny Office of ED & what's at stake edsource.org/2026/in-a-te...
In a test case, Oakland charter school asks State Board to prevent its closure
Aspire Public Schools is asking the state board to clarify a charter school renewal law, with some charter school operators facing renewal worried that school districts will stretch the law to shut th...
edsource.org
July 8, 2026 at 4:43 AM
My atest: preview to important charter school hearing tomorrow before State Board: Why Aspire Public Schools is calling for a review of the charter denial for its 6-12 school in East Oakland by Oakland Unified & upheld by Alameda Couny Office of ED & what's at stake edsource.org/2026/in-a-te...
Gavin Newsom's unflashy but important reform: shifting CA: Dept. of Ed from an elected state superintendent (usually legislators with no interest or experience managing a complex bureaucracy) to a new Ed Director. Only last-ditch opposition by CTA can stop it. @EdSource edsource.org/2026/califor...
State Superintendent will no longer manage California schools under deal Newsom cuts with Legislature
In leaving office, Gov. Newsom is on the verge of achieving what others had recommended for decades: replacing the elected state superintendent as manager of the Department of Education with a new edu...
edsource.org
June 27, 2026 at 11:37 PM
Gavin Newsom's unflashy but important reform: shifting CA: Dept. of Ed from an elected state superintendent (usually legislators with no interest or experience managing a complex bureaucracy) to a new Ed Director. Only last-ditch opposition by CTA can stop it. @EdSource edsource.org/2026/califor...
NYTimes obit on Peter Schrag, prolific author, Sac Bee editorial editor, EdSource board member, mentor & friend. I moved to CA in '98; just out Paradise Lost schooled me on the paradox of CA -- along with kitchen-table talks I wish I'd recorded. I miss his strong, insightful voice
shorturl.at/wOk3I
shorturl.at/wOk3I
Peter Schrag Dies at 94; Wrote of Dangers of California’s Populist Streak
www.nytimes.com
April 8, 2026 at 6:28 AM
NYTimes obit on Peter Schrag, prolific author, Sac Bee editorial editor, EdSource board member, mentor & friend. I moved to CA in '98; just out Paradise Lost schooled me on the paradox of CA -- along with kitchen-table talks I wish I'd recorded. I miss his strong, insightful voice
shorturl.at/wOk3I
shorturl.at/wOk3I
You can still sign up for today's 4 pm roundtable, "Teachers on strike: Can school districts afford what California teachers want?" 4 pm. Host Diana Lambert w/ CTA President David Goldberg, Michael Fine, CEO of FCMAT and others. Should be good, register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
EdSource Roundtable | Teachers on strike: Can school districts afford what California teachers want?.
Frustrated by the cost of living in California, teachers in many school districts are demanding higher salaries and fully paid health benefits.
Teachers unions in at least nine districts have authori...
us02web.zoom.us
February 26, 2026 at 8:55 PM
You can still sign up for today's 4 pm roundtable, "Teachers on strike: Can school districts afford what California teachers want?" 4 pm. Host Diana Lambert w/ CTA President David Goldberg, Michael Fine, CEO of FCMAT and others. Should be good, register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Come join us: Cutting through the noise – a look at issues of 2026 w/ a panel worth listening to; Thurs 1/29 at 1 pm; I'll be moderating for @edsource.org Register now us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Cutting through the noise: California education’s big year ahead — elections, Trump, money, labor and learning. After registering, you will receive a confir...
Lawsuits, labor conflicts, and new measures from the White House are daily distractions.
So let’s step back—and look ahead—to what is shaping up to be a momentous 2026 in California education.
How...
us02web.zoom.us
January 28, 2026 at 4:27 AM
Come join us: Cutting through the noise – a look at issues of 2026 w/ a panel worth listening to; Thurs 1/29 at 1 pm; I'll be moderating for @edsource.org Register now us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
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.org/podcast/hot-...
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.
edsource.org
November 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
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.org/podcast/hot-...
EdSource readers, we'd like your thoughts about our latest survey. We take the results seriously.
lnkd.in/g36UbcKb
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.
lnkd.in/g36UbcKb
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.
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
October 17, 2025 at 11:24 PM
EdSource readers, we'd like your thoughts about our latest survey. We take the results seriously.
lnkd.in/g36UbcKb
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.
lnkd.in/g36UbcKb
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.
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
edsource.org?page_id=732747
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.
edsource.org
May 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
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
edsource.org?page_id=732747
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...
#ScienceOfReading #caedu #caleg; my latest edsource.org/2025/legisla...
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.
edsource.org
April 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
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...
#ScienceOfReading #caedu #caleg; my latest edsource.org/2025/legisla...
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
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.
edsource.org
April 22, 2025 at 11:57 PM
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
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
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.
edsource.org
April 22, 2025 at 7:03 PM
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 & debate shifts to a familiar, misguided debate over phonics; my latest edsource.org?page_id=730431
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.
edsource.org
April 16, 2025 at 4:26 PM
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 edsource.org?page_id=730063
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?
edsource.org
April 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
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; my latest edsource.org?page_id=729705
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...
edsource.org
April 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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: ICYMI our roundtable ... a good list of resources on who's innovating, too edsource.org?page_id=729230
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.
edsource.org
March 28, 2025 at 8:51 PM
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, more than 40% of classes remain online classes -- double the pre-pandemic rate; by Michael Burke edsource.org?page_id=728458
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.
edsource.org
March 25, 2025 at 4:25 PM
At community colleges, more than 40% of classes remain online classes -- double the pre-pandemic rate; by Michael Burke edsource.org?page_id=728458
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...
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...
edsource.org
March 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
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...
#UC stays ahead of Trump, to no longer require #diversity statements from faculty applicants; critics charge cowardice; by Michael Burke edsource.org/2025/univers...
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.
edsource.org
March 21, 2025 at 3:49 PM
#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. Where we stand 5 years later. May latest edsource.org?page_id=728640
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.
edsource.org
March 20, 2025 at 7:14 PM
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? CA State Board frets over the right words; my latest edsource.org?page_id=727943
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.
edsource.org
March 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
How to describe middling and poor test scores? CA State Board frets over the right words; my latest edsource.org?page_id=727943
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
edsource.org?page_id=727807
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...
edsource.org
March 7, 2025 at 6:59 AM
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
edsource.org?page_id=727807
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-...
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.
edsource.org
February 14, 2025 at 5:58 PM
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-...
Reposted by John Fensterwald
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...
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.
edsource.org
February 10, 2025 at 4:41 PM
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...
edsource.org/2025/schools...
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...
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.
edsource.org
February 10, 2025 at 4:41 PM
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...
edsource.org/2025/schools...
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...
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.
www.sfchronicle.com
February 6, 2025 at 5:47 PM
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...