Reports

June 10, 2026 | Steep declines in math achievement driven by COVID-19-era school disruptions have renewed interest in improving math instruction. A study of 10 California middle school teachers identifies the classroom conditions needed for students to thrive as math learners: positive relationships, a sense of belonging, growth mindsets, and high-quality instruction.

May 21, 2026 | Los Angeles Unified School District successfully implemented its Community Schools Initiative through a robust support structure that centers inclusive environments enabled by restorative practices, project-based learning, and Linked Learning pathways. While all low-income schools in the district are recovering from pandemic-era lows, these schools are improving at substantially higher rates in achievement and attendance.

May 20, 2026 | California’s investment in universal prekindergarten has increased the capacity of local education agencies to expand the accessibility of transitional kindergarten across the state. Ongoing challenges center on staff recruitment and retaintion, meeting the developmental and behavioral needs of younger students, securing facility space, and sustaining funding.

May 18, 2026 | Public schools face mounting challenges, including student mental health, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, and teacher shortages. Yet the principal's impact is often overlooked. Effective leadership strengthens instruction, builds positive climate, and stabilizes the workforce. Investing in principal preparation, support, and retention is a powerful strategy for improving outcomes and advancing equity.

May 12, 2026 | Texas is navigating high teacher attrition and relying on uncertified teachers who can fill vacancies quickly. While the share of uncertified teachers tripled across the state between 2019–20 and 2024–25, some districts maintained high rates of certified teachers. This study sought to identify those districts and understand the local contexts that might encourage hiring and retention of certified teachers. These findings are especially relevant in the context of newly passed state legislation enabling a significant financial investment in retaining and recruiting credentialed teachers.

May 7, 2026 | Research points to adolescence as a critical period of opportunity and development. School design that centers relationships, meaningful inquiry, civic reasoning, and identity development can foster powerful adolescent learning. Policies supporting systemic and structural redesign across California can create environments that honor adolescents’ needs and help develop their full potential.

May 7, 2026 | Over the past two decades, California has implemented policy reforms to support multilingual learners of English. New research provides an overview of the state's progress, examines remaining challenges, and provides policy recommendations for key actors in the state.

May 7, 2026 | California's revenue system critically shapes TK-12 funding for nearly six million students. State and local revenue constraints create instability and limit adequate support. This report examines where education funding comes from, why it fluctuates, how it is allocated, and how it can be improved.

May 7, 2026 | California’s historic investment in community schools is showing promising early results. Participating schools reduced chronic absenteeism and suspensions, improved academic outcomes, and produced particularly strong gains for Black students, English learners, and students from low-income families—offering evidence that community schools can help close long-standing opportunity gaps.

May 7, 2026 | Research confirms that principal turnover negatively impacts student achievement and teacher retention. A California-focused analysis of statewide data examines trends in principal preparation, experience, and distribution, identifying key school, district, and principal characteristics associated with turnover across the state.