Education Beat

In this episode, we bring you the story of one former foster youth who dropped out of college, then returned years later with renewed resolve.

Students who have missed years of school in their home countries not only have to learn English, but also basic reading, writing, math and science.

A school board meeting in Palo Alto offers a peek into an argument over whether ethnic studies should be required, and what the course should teach.

The majority of students in California schools are Latino, while the teachers are mostly white. But that could now be changing.

A teacher shares the story of her family's escape, and a reporter describes the physical and emotional damage to schools and communities.

Every year, John Fensterwald tells us what he thinks might or might not happen in California education in the new year. Listen to what he foresees for 2025.

Inside the first bachelor's degree program in a women's prison in Chowchilla, incarcerated women work to rebuild their lives by pursuing higher degrees.

A Central Valley dad applied for his green card and ended up separated from his wife and four kids, because of a change in immigration policy under the first Trump administration.

Gabriela Rodriguez stars in The San Jose Nutcracker and dreams of teaching others the joy of dance.

Alice Keeney had to study for months to learn how to operate nuclear reactors in the Navy. But when she tried to transfer her classes over to Cal Poly Pomona, they wouldn't give her credit. 

Tulare County is training first and second-year graduate students in social work and placing them in schools to help tackle a shortage of counselors.

A high school drama teacher was removed from the classroom in Temecula Valley Unified, after a parent complained students were reading the Pulitzer-prize-winning play, "Angels in America."

Many California community college STEM majors struggle to complete the math they need to transfer to four year universities. Two recent laws aim to fix it. 

In the wake of Trump's election we look at how his presidency and promised education policies might affect California schools, students, and educators. 

Millions of California voters found a blank spot on their ballot where they might normally see candidates for school board. Why?

A high school junior reflects on the significance of this moment and the importance of civic engagement for teenagers.

The district had found high levels of lead in the water during tests conducted over spring and summer, but it didn't share those results with parents and staff until this August.

Many school buildings in California are in dilapidated conditions, with leaky roofs, broken concrete, moldy walls or faulty air conditioning.

Thousands of students are passionate about becoming teachers and working toward that goal. Student journalist Clara Brownstein set out to find out what motivates them.

California State University and the University of California are revamping protest rules and banning encampments, barriers and, under certain circumstances, the wearing of face masks.

When Lenore Skenazy let her nine-year-old son ride the subway alone in New York, she was labeled "America's Worst Mom." She says schools and parents need to give kids more free play and independence.

University of Southern California researchers found that students who are chronically absent from school are much more likely to struggle with mental health challenges.

A staggering 97% of music students with Harmony Project graduate high school, and close to 80% go on to college. What's the secret?

Many school districts have taken steps to ban or restrict cell phones and smart watches in the classroom, to curb bullying, distraction and addiction.

Students will have easier access to mental health care, free menstrual products and climate change education, among other changes.