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Sydney Johnson

Sydney Johnson covers innovations in math and science instruction for EdSource, among other topics.

Students practice identifying species in the school garden at Verde Elementary in Richmond during summer camp. (Courtesy — Verde Elementary)

Reading, writing and bike riding: How schools spent summer helping students recover from pandemic

August 4, 2021 at 11:36 a.m.

To acclimate students back to campus life, districts across California are expanding expanded their summertime programs to create slots for more students who may have missed critical academic concepts.

A rush to calculus leaves some students behind in California

July 27, 2021 at 6:24 a.m.

Even in the birthplace of microchips and iPhones, unequal access to advanced math starts early for many California students.

Jina Jackson, a math teacher and coach in Fullerton Joint Union High, teaches a math lesson with her students online. (EdSource)

California directs districts to offer remote independent study this fall

July 7, 2021 at 12:20 p.m.

The requirement to offer independent study for the 2021-22 school year can be waived in districts where it would create an “unreasonable fiscal burden” due to low enrollment.

Fifth graders take a reading test on Chrome computers at Redwood Heights Elementary School in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 4, 2014. (ALISON YIN — EDSOURCE)

California could allow school districts to choose their own standardized tests this year

March 17, 2021 at 1:01 p.m.

The State Board of Education has been struggling to strike a balance for stressed-out teachers and students who need a break and the parents, advocacy groups and other education officials...

Teachers in Alameda County were among the first to be vaccinated on Feb. 18, 2021 by a new FEMA mobile vaccination clinic. (PHOTO COURTESY ALAMEDA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION)

California sets priorities for vaccination of teachers and school employees

February 27, 2021 at 6:55 a.m.

On Thursday, California health officials released a detailed roadmap with priorities for how and which school employees can get vaccines first, starting with those already back in-person and those with...

A student takes an English proficiency test in Oakland Unified. (PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT)

California moves to pursue flexibility waivers for standardized tests this year

February 25, 2021 at 9:33 a.m.

On Monday, the Biden administration said that states must resume standardized testing this year. The State Board of Education in California voted unanimously to prepare to apply for more flexible...

Student Brielle Cohan-Hadria, participates in a Zoom lesson from a class overseen by teachers with the YMCA at the Anza Elementary School campus in Torrance last year. this school year. Most schools are back to traditional A-F grading scales this year, creating challenges for teachers who must now grade students from behind a computer screen.(File photo: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times/Polaris)

California teachers grapple with grading nearly a year after initial school closures

February 10, 2021 at 6:10 a.m.

As schools grow more familiar with distance learning, one key element continues to baffle even expert teachers: assigning grades in an online classroom.

(Courtesy photo) Colton Reichow and his brother Lane take a break from distance learning by riding dirt bikes on the weekends.

Disappointing grades, technology glitches and shades of learning fun

November 28, 2020 at 6:52 a.m.

An update from families across California on how they are doing with distance and hybrid classes.

Ann Hoeffer (right) and her daughter Amber Scroggins (left) stand in the kitchen with three of Scroggins’ children. (Photo: Andrew Reed/EdSource)

Disappointing grades, technology glitches and glimpses of learning fun

November 20, 2020 at 6:18 a.m.

An update from families across California on how they are doing with distance and hybrid classes.

Fifth graders take a reading test on Chrome computers at Redwood Heights Elementary School in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 4, 2014. (Photos by Alison Yin for EdSource)

California to consider shorter Smarter Balanced tests this spring

November 5, 2020 at 6:21 a.m.

Teachers, administrators and parents wondering about the status of California’s annual standardized tests can expect to get clarity this week.

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