Getting Down to Facts II combines 36 studies that explore a broad swath of K–12 policy topics central to school equity. Among some of the report’s findings: Large accountability gaps persist; students are behind before they even enter kindergarten; data...

As pension costs continue to soar, they are taking up a bigger share of the new funding that districts receive each year. Meeting their pension obligations and other rising costs limits the ability of districts to fund other academic and student support programs or increase pay...

In a highly anticipated but narrow decision on pensions for teachers and other state and local public employees, the California Supreme Court on Monday upheld the elimination of a retirement benefit in the 2012 pension reform law that then-Gov. Jerry...

Crafting successful education policy requires evidence. Generating this evidence requires data that do not currently exist, or are not used to their full potential, in California. An integrated educational data system would arm teachers, schools, districts, service providers, and policy...

Host Joseph Pace and guests discuss the policy and funding issues underlying Oakland and California’s public school crisis.  What solutions exist to get our schools back in session and back on track?

Instead of the “culture of compliance” that had permeated the public education system, the California Way reorients districts, counties, and the state to the principle and practice of “subsidiarity,” or local control. In partnership with students, families, and communities, school...

A new analysis by the Palo Alto-based nonprofit Learning Policy Institute calls for doubling down on efforts to deepen and strengthen “one of the country’s most ambitious equity-focused education reforms.” LPI’s report cites multiple publications from PACE and Getting Down...

With a new governor who has proposed making a historic investment in programs to support young children and families, Californians with interest in early childhood policy have a lot to talk about these days. Last Thursday, they had their chance...

PACE research is cited in article about the growing community schools movement. This movement advocates for transforming schools so they become neighborhood hubs that bring together families, educators, government agencies and community groups and organizations to provide all the opportunities...

When it comes to implementing policies that will shape education, research is a critical starting point, says Heather Hough, executive director of Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), a nonpartisan center led by faculty members at five universities in California...

In his freshman budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom heartened beleaguered school districts and community colleges by offering pension-cost relief. School leaders are expressing gratitude for the help — not as much for the amount, which is modest compared with the overall...

As charter schools continue to become more prevalent across the country, one challenge facing them is that there is wide variation in the effectiveness of organizations that authorize charters and decide on their renewal. One of the Getting Down to...

As charter schools continue to become more prevalent across the country, however, one challenge facing them is that there is wide variation in the effectiveness of organizations that authorize charters and decide on their renewal. One of the Getting Down...

School's In with Dan Schwartz and Denise Pope:
"Improving Education from the Inside with guest Heather Hough"

Policy Analysis for California Education executive director Heather Hough talks about the value of arming local officials with the best information to make...

Stanford’s recently released Getting Down to Facts II illustrates both the challenge and opportunity we collectively face: families’ lack of access to affordable, quality early learning experiences has a detrimental effect on children’s achievement in the K-12 system. Can Gov...

As Oakland Unified faces a possible teachers’ strike and braces for deep budget cuts for the 2019-20 school year, its leaders are asking themselves: “Which expenditures would give us the greatest academic returns on our investments?” Their answer: Increasing teacher...

Gavin Newsom got elected doing something that no California gubernatorial candidate had ever done—putting the needs of youngsters atop his agenda. Concern for equity—reducing the gap between rich and poor by giving kids a smart start - drives the governor's...

Every child in California deserves that same opportunity, and that’s why we are advocating for pre-kindergarten education for all kids. Our children are doing well academically. But too many families don’t have these same opportunities and children who start behind...

Gavin Newsom is officially California’s 40th governor. During his electoral campaign and inaugural speech, he made several promises to provide services and representation to different communities across the state. Advocates for early childhood development, housing policy and the LGBTQ community...

The California Community Colleges Podcast kicks off the new year with a topical discussion on “starting early” – improving the education pipeline by investing thought and resources into early childhood education. In this episode, Samantha Tran, Senior Managing Director of...

Welcome, readers, to the new year. It’s time for our favorite armchair exercise: predictions for the year in education. There’s a wild card this year: Gavin Newsom. Gov. Jerry Brown, while sometimes mystical, proved to be true to his word...

California’s 40-year-old Proposition 13 dramatically changed how the state funds education. Between 1970 and 1997, per pupil spending in California fell more than 15 percent relative to spending in other states.

As pressures grow on schools to address students’ physical and mental health, including the stress and trauma they may experience in their homes and neighborhoods, many California educators are acknowledging that they don’t have the resources they need to respond...

Early childhood education. A top-tier national ranking for K-12 per-pupil spending. A data system that would track kids from nursery school through state universities. California’s Legislature won’t reconvene until 2019, but the Christmas wish list for public schools  is already...