* [
Credit: Courtesy of Julian Ramos
](https://edsource.org/2025/madera-drama-teacher-sees-the-arts-as-a-gateway-to-improving-literacy-skills/728782)
Credit: Courtesy of Julian Ramos
### [Madera drama teacher sees the arts as a gateway to improving literacy skills](https://edsource.org/2025/madera-drama-teacher-sees-the-arts-as-a-gateway-to-improving-literacy-skills/728782)
[Karen DâSouza](https://edsource.org/author/kdsouza)
As Proposition 28 brings more arts teachers into classrooms across California, some are finding subjects like drama and theater can be a jumping off point to academic progress in other areas.
March 21, 2025
[Arts education](https://edsource.org/topic/arts-education)
* [
Credit: Ben Curtis/AP Photo
](https://edsource.org/2025/trump-signs-executive-order-to-dismantle-department-of-education/728843)
Credit: Ben Curtis/AP Photo
### [Trump signs executive order to dismantle Department of Education](https://edsource.org/2025/trump-signs-executive-order-to-dismantle-department-of-education/728843)
[Amy DiPierro](https://edsource.org/author/adipierro) And [John Fensterwald](https://edsource.org/author/jfensterwald)
The order directs U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to work toward fulfilling his campaign promise to close the federal agency.
March 20, 2025
[Federal Education Policy](https://edsource.org/topic/federal-education)
* [
Michael Burke/EdSource
](https://edsource.org/2025/university-of-california-to-no-longer-require-diversity-statements-in-faculty-hiring/728778)
Michael Burke/EdSource
### [University of California to no longer require diversity statements in faculty hiring](https://edsource.org/2025/university-of-california-to-no-longer-require-diversity-statements-in-faculty-hiring/728778)
[Michael Burke](https://edsource.org/author/mburke)
Long-standing policy is ended amid fears of reprisals from Trump administration. Critics say the change is cowardly.
March 20, 2025
[University of California](https://edsource.org/topic/university-of-california)
Federal impacts on California education
---------------------------------------
* #### Thursday, March 20, 2025 â 7:27 am
[
Trump plans to sign order calling for Education Department shutdown
-------------------------------------------------------------------
](https://edsource.org/updates/trump-plans-to-sign-order-calling-for-education-department-shutdown)
* #### Wednesday, March 19, 2025 â 11:59 am
[
Mass Head Start layoffs in Santa Clara County
---------------------------------------------
](https://edsource.org/updates/mass-head-start-layoffs-in-santa-clara-county)
* #### Wednesday, March 19, 2025 â 10:39 am
[
UC to freeze hiring amid threat of federal funding cuts
-------------------------------------------------------
](https://edsource.org/updates/uc-to-freeze-hiring-amid-threat-of-federal-funding-cuts)
#### [Read more](https://edsource.org/2025/how-will-changes-in-federal-policy-impact-california-education-stay-up-to-date-here/727235)
Latest News Briefs
------------------
[View All](https://edsource.org/news-updates/)
* Thursday, March 20, 2025 â 9:20 am
[
### California college students would attend today, pay tomorrow under pay-it-forward proposal
](https://edsource.org/updates/california-college-students-would-attend-today-pay-tomorrow-under-pay-it-forward-proposal)
* Wednesday, March 19, 2025 â 11:10 am
[
### California bill aims to eliminate ultra-processed foods from school lunch
](https://edsource.org/updates/california-bill-aims-to-eliminate-ultra-processed-foods-from-school-lunch)
* Tuesday, March 18, 2025 â 9:51 am
[
### San Francisco Unified wonât lay off classroom teachers
](https://edsource.org/updates/san-francisco-unified-wont-lay-off-classroom-teachers)
Podcast: Education Beat
-----------------------
A weekly podcast that gets to the heart of education issues in California and beyond.
[](/podcast/programs-cut-futures-uncertain-sonoma-state-students-face-challenges-ahead)
March 20, 2025
### [Programs cut, futures uncertain: Sonoma State students face challenges ahead](/podcast/programs-cut-futures-uncertain-sonoma-state-students-face-challenges-ahead)
Sonoma State University announced a proposal this spring to cut $24 million dollars by eliminating six academic departments.
[EdSource](https://soundcloud.com/edsource-1 "EdSource") · [Programs cut, futures uncertain: Sonoma State students face challenges ahead](https://soundcloud.com/edsource-1/programs-cut-futures-uncertain-sonoma-state-students-face-challenges-ahead "Programs cut, futures uncertain: Sonoma State students face challenges ahead")
### Recent Episodes
[View All](https://edsource.org/podcast "View All")
* [
March 13, 2025
#### Undocumented student civic engagement in the Trump era (Live at SXSW EDU)
](https://edsource.org/podcast/undocumented-student-civic-engagement-in-the-trump-era-live-at-sxsw-edu "Undocumented student civic engagement in the Trump era (Live at SXSW EDU)")
* [
February 27, 2025
#### Is LAUSD misusing its money for arts education?
](https://edsource.org/podcast/lausd-arts-education-lawsuit "Is LAUSD misusing its money for arts education?")
Commentaries
------------
[View all](https://edsource.org/article-type/commentary)
### [Covid recovery funds are gone; what now for California students?](https://edsource.org/?post_type=post&p=728593)
By Lindsay Dworkin
### [Why California must champion community college bachelorâs degrees](https://edsource.org/?post_type=post&p=728512)
By Jose Fierro
Patricia Lozano
Scott Moore
### [Itâs time to prioritize our youngest Californians](https://edsource.org/?post_type=post&p=728471)
Latest News
-----------
[View all](https://edsource.org/all)
* [
Credit: Fresno Unified / Flickr
](https://edsource.org/2025/covids-long-shadow-in-california-chronic-absences-student-depression-and-the-limits-of-money/728640)
Credit: Fresno Unified / Flickr
### [Covidâs long shadow in California: Chronic absences, student depression and the limits of money](https://edsource.org/2025/covids-long-shadow-in-california-chronic-absences-student-depression-and-the-limits-of-money/728640)
[John Fensterwald](https://edsource.org/author/jfensterwald)
The effects of the coronavirus-related shutdown linger five years later, as measured in test scores and student engagement, especially among the Golden Stateâs most vulnerable children.
March 20, 2025
[Five Years Later: Covidâs Lasting Impact on Education](https://edsource.org/topic/five-years-later-covids-lasting-impact-on-education)
* [
Courtesy of UC Davis Health
](https://edsource.org/2025/hiring-freeze-at-uc-sparks-fears-of-far-reaching-impacts/728661)
Courtesy of UC Davis Health
### [Hiring freeze at UC sparks fears of far-reaching impacts](https://edsource.org/2025/hiring-freeze-at-uc-sparks-fears-of-far-reaching-impacts/728661)
[Michael Burke](https://edsource.org/author/mburke)
Citing the possibility of drastic federal funding cuts, UC plans to implement a systemwide hiring freeze.
March 19, 2025
[University of California](https://edsource.org/topic/university-of-california)
* [
Credit: AP Photo / Etienne Laurent
](https://edsource.org/2025/after-the-fire-former-foster-youth-attributes-recovery-to-unconditional-support/728572)
Credit: AP Photo / Etienne Laurent
### [After the fire: Former foster youth attributes recovery to unconditional support](https://edsource.org/2025/after-the-fire-former-foster-youth-attributes-recovery-to-unconditional-support/728572)
[Betty MĂĄrquez Rosales](https://edsource.org/author/bmarquez)
Access to stable housing is critical, but advocates say it must be paired with consistent, individualized support.
March 19, 2025
[Foster Youth](https://edsource.org/topic/foster-youth)
* [
Credit: Amy DiPierro / EdSource
](https://edsource.org/2025/scenes-of-loss-and-resilience-at-a-cal-state-campus-facing-drastic-cuts/728407)
Credit: Amy DiPierro / EdSource
### [Scenes of loss â and resilience â at a Cal State campus facing drastic cuts](https://edsource.org/2025/scenes-of-loss-and-resilience-at-a-cal-state-campus-facing-drastic-cuts/728407)
[Amy DiPierro](https://edsource.org/author/adipierro)
Sonoma State University has proposed eliminating Division II sports and about two dozen degree programs. âItâs just watching something that you love die,â one student said of the cuts.
March 18, 2025
[California State University](https://edsource.org/topic/california-state-university)
[#### Featured Video
##### How earning a college degree put four California men on a path from prison to new lives | Documentary](https://edsource.org/2024/how-earning-a-college-degree-put-four-california-men-on-a-path-from-prison-to-new-lives-documentary/711342 "How earning a college degree put four California men on a path from prison to new lives | Documentary ")
[
#### Featured Data
##### Lead levels in California schoolsâ drinking water
](https://edsource.org/2024/lead-levels-in-california-schools-drinking-water-updated-2024/722361 "Lead levels in California schoolsâ drinking water")
[
#### Upcoming Roundtable
##### Five years after Covid: Innovations that are driving results
](https://edsource.org/broadcasts/five-years-after-covid-innovations-that-are-driving-results "Five years after Covid: Innovations that are driving results")
ArtĂculos mĂĄs recientes en español
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[Leer mĂĄs](https://edsource.org/es/topic/articulos-en-espanol)
* [
Crédito: Zaidee Stavely / EdSource
](https://edsource.org/es/2025/que-efecto-tiene-la-amenaza-de-recortes-de-fondos-federales-para-las-escuelas-k-12-de-california-guia-rapida/728500)
Crédito: Zaidee Stavely / EdSource
### [ÂżQuĂ© efecto tiene la amenaza de recortes de fondos federales para las escuelas K-12 de California? | GuĂa rĂĄpida](https://edsource.org/es/2025/que-efecto-tiene-la-amenaza-de-recortes-de-fondos-federales-para-las-escuelas-k-12-de-california-guia-rapida/728500)
[Zaidee Stavely](https://edsource.org/author/zstavely) And [Daniel J. Willis](https://edsource.org/author/dwillis)
Las escuelas K-12 de California recibieron alrededor de $8 mil millones en fondos federales en 2024-25.
March 18, 2025
[PolĂtica Educativa Federal](https://edsource.org/topic/politica-educativa-federal)
* [
Credit: Alison Yin / EdSource
](https://edsource.org/es/2025/que-distritos-estan-en-las-ultimas-listas-de-peligro-financiero-de-california-y-por-que/728217)
Credit: Alison Yin / EdSource
### [ÂżQuĂ© distritos estĂĄn en las Ășltimas listas de peligro financiero de California y por quĂ©?](https://edsource.org/es/2025/que-distritos-estan-en-las-ultimas-listas-de-peligro-financiero-de-california-y-por-que/728217)
[John Fensterwald](https://edsource.org/author/jfensterwald)
Siete distritos, incluidos Oakland, San Francisco y Hayward, enfrentan una amenaza inminente de quedarse sin dinero
March 12, 2025
[Finanzas Escolares](https://edsource.org/topic/finanzas-escolares)
Stay up to date with California education
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Topic Focus
[Quick Guides](https://edsource.org/topic/quick-guides)
-------------------------------------------------------
EdSourceâs quick guides make complex education issues easier to understand. These brief explanatory articles provide an introduction to key trends, systems, institutions and debates in California education and the context you need to go deeper. Have a suggestion for a topic that would benefit from a similar explainer? [Let us know!](mailto:spatel@edsource.org)
* [
Credit: Alison Yin / EdSource
](https://edsource.org/2025/what-parents-and-students-need-to-know-about-lausds-cellphone-ban/726516)
Credit: Alison Yin / EdSource
### [What parents and students need to know about LAUSDâs cellphone ban](https://edsource.org/2025/what-parents-and-students-need-to-know-about-lausds-cellphone-ban/726516)
[Mallika Seshadri](https://edsource.org/author/mseshadri)
Los Angeles Unifiedâs cellphone ban is slated to go into effect Feb. 18. Hereâs what students and parents can expect.
February 13, 2025
[Quick Guides](https://edsource.org/topic/quick-guides)
* [
Crédito: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
](https://edsource.org/2025/how-to-protect-children-from-wildfire-pollutants-quick-guide/725362)
Crédito: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
### [How to protect children from wildfire pollutants | Quick Guide](https://edsource.org/2025/how-to-protect-children-from-wildfire-pollutants-quick-guide/725362)
[Vani Sanganeria](https://edsource.org/author/vsanganeria)
Students across L.A. are at higher risk of inhaling toxic materials even after the blazes are no longer burning.
January 17, 2025
[Los Angeles Unified](https://edsource.org/topic/los-angeles-unified)
* [
Anne Wernikoff for EdSource
](https://edsource.org/2025/what-rights-do-immigrant-students-and-families-have-in-california-schools-and-colleges-quick-guide/724175)
Anne Wernikoff for EdSource
### [What rights do immigrant students and families have in California schools and colleges? | Quick Guide](https://edsource.org/2025/what-rights-do-immigrant-students-and-families-have-in-california-schools-and-colleges-quick-guide/724175)
[Zaidee Stavely](https://edsource.org/author/zstavely)
As fear spreads over president-elect Trumpâs threats of mass deportation, what rights do undocumented students and family members have at school and college?
January 6, 2025
[Quick Guides](https://edsource.org/topic/quick-guides)
Featured Topics
---------------
* [College & Careers](https://edsource.org/topic/college-careers "College & Careers")
* [Early Learning](https://edsource.org/topic/early-learning "Early Learning")
* [Policy & Finance](https://edsource.org/topic/policy "Policy & Finance")
* [Student Well-Being](https://edsource.org/topic/student-wellbeing "Student Well-Being")
Featured Special Project
[Getting Students Back to School](https://edsource.org/special-project/getting-students-back-to-school)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting students to fully return to school in the wake of the pandemic remains a struggle for many districts nationwide and in California.
* [
Credit: Roberto E. Rosales / AP Photo
](https://edsource.org/2024/one-out-of-three-native-american-students-in-california-were-chronically-absent-last-year/723211)
Credit: Roberto E. Rosales / AP Photo
### [One-third of Native American students in California were chronically absent last year](https://edsource.org/2024/one-out-of-three-native-american-students-in-california-were-chronically-absent-last-year/723211)
[Betty MĂĄrquez Rosales](https://edsource.org/author/bmarquez) And [Emma Gallegos](https://edsource.org/author/egallegos)
Partnerships between districts and tribes help build trust to address remnants of traumatic boarding school history.
December 3, 2024
[Getting Students Back to School](https://edsource.org/topic/getting-students-back-to-school)
* [
Credit: Roberto E. Rosales / AP Photo
](https://edsource.org/2024/native-american-students-miss-school-at-higher-rates-it-only-got-worse-during-the-pandemic/723169)
Credit: Roberto E. Rosales / AP Photo
### [Native American students miss school at higher rates. It only got worse during the pandemic](https://edsource.org/2024/native-american-students-miss-school-at-higher-rates-it-only-got-worse-during-the-pandemic/723169)
[Cheyanne Mumphrey, Sharon Lurye, and Morgan Lee, The Associated Press](https://edsource.org/author/staff)
Many schools serving Native students have been working to build stronger connections with families, who often struggle with higher rates of illness and poverty.
December 3, 2024
[Getting Students Back to School](https://edsource.org/topic/getting-students-back-to-school)
Video
-----
[View all](https://edsource.org/article-type/video)
* ### [Ballet opens doors for children to chase the joy of dance](https://edsource.org/2024/ballet-opens-doors-for-children-to-chase-the-joy-of-dance/723410)
New Ballet founder Dalia Rawson believes the arts are an expression of our collective humanity that belongs to all of us, not a luxury for the privileged few.
* ### [Educators divided on impact of changes in STEM math placement at California community colleges](https://edsource.org/2024/educators-divided-on-impact-of-changes-in-stem-math-placement-at-california-community-colleges/722605)
During an EdSource roundtable on Tuesday, panelists discussed both the potential upsides and their concerns about the implementation of AB 1705.
* ### [Upgrading facilities can make schools safer and more sustainable, panel says](https://edsource.org/2024/upgrading-facilities-can-make-schools-safer-and-more-sustainable-panel-says/720317)
State and local bonds on the November ballot could play a key role in upgrading school facilities amid safety concerns and climate change.
Most Popular Stories
--------------------
* [
Credit: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images
](https://edsource.org/2025/u-s-department-of-education-wants-people-to-tell-on-schools-with-dei-initiatives/727967)
Credit: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images
### [California educators nervous about federal plan to investigate schools with diversity initiatives](https://edsource.org/2025/u-s-department-of-education-wants-people-to-tell-on-schools-with-dei-initiatives/727967)
[Diana Lambert](https://edsource.org/author/dlambert)
U.S. Department of Education is trying to add teeth to its DEI prohibition, with an online portal to collect complaints. California education leaders say DEI remains legal.
March 7, 2025
[Federal Education Policy](https://edsource.org/topic/federal-education)
* [
Credit: Alison Yin / EdSource
](https://edsource.org/2025/job-hunting-is-awful-california-believes-its-career-passport-can-change-that/727807)
Credit: Alison Yin / EdSource
### [Job hunting is awful. California believes its âCareer Passportâ can change that](https://edsource.org/2025/job-hunting-is-awful-california-believes-its-career-passport-can-change-that/727807)
[Emma Gallegos](https://edsource.org/author/egallegos)
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 or through the military.
March 6, 2025
[College & Careers](https://edsource.org/topic/college-careers)
* [
c
](https://edsource.org/2025/cal-poly-humboldt-will-cover-gap-between-tuition-and-aid-for-eligible-students-next-fall/727231)
c
### [Cal Poly Humboldt will cover gap between tuition and aid for eligible students next fall](https://edsource.org/2025/cal-poly-humboldt-will-cover-gap-between-tuition-and-aid-for-eligible-students-next-fall/727231)
[Amy DiPierro](https://edsource.org/author/adipierro)
Where financial aid leaves off, the stateâs newest polytechnic university will cover mandatory tuition and fees for incoming eligible students.
February 25, 2025
[California State University](https://edsource.org/topic/california-state-university)
* [
Credit: Carlos Kosienski/Sipa via AP Images
](https://edsource.org/2025/a-step-backwards-how-federal-threats-to-dei-are-impacting-california-schools/727083)
Credit: Carlos Kosienski/Sipa via AP Images
### [âA step backwardsâ: How federal threats to DEI are impacting California schools](https://edsource.org/2025/a-step-backwards-how-federal-threats-to-dei-are-impacting-california-schools/727083)
[Mallika Seshadri](https://edsource.org/author/mseshadri) And [Lasherica Thornton](https://edsource.org/author/lthornton)
California schools are grappling with the U.S. Department of Educationâs letter requiring them to scrap their DEI programs.
February 19, 2025
[Federal Education Policy](https://edsource.org/topic/federal-education)