Education

Schools chief was caught off guard by Newsom’s plan to pare down the future scope of his job

Newsom’s proposal for California schools would shift more power to the governor and pare down the state superintendent’s role.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, a man with dark skin tone, wearing a blue suit, sits in a chair and speaks while moving his hands.

LAUSD promises schools burned down in Palisades Fire will be rebuilt by 2028

At the end of January, students will have returned to two of the three public school campuses burned in the Palisades Fire one year prior.

Listen 0:43

A child with light skin tone and curly blonde hair walks across a playground with blue structures.

Caltech names astrophysicist, Johns Hopkins provost as new president

Ray Jayawardhana will take over this summer as the 10th president in Caltech's 105-year history.

L.A. Fires: Schools mourn losses, celebrate progress on anniversary

A year after the Los Angeles fires, communities remain strong, losses remain significant, and efforts to rebuild are underway.

An arial view of blocks of lots with charred trees around and large mountains in the background.

Enrollment is down for LAUSD’s popular and revamped winter recovery program

About 64,000 students signed up for a week of credit recovery and enrichment camps.

Listen 0:44

A group of teenagers with varying skin tones stand in a classroom around a black-topped science table.

Will this be the year California makes kindergarten mandatory?

California has invested heavily in early childhood education, yet it doesn’t require all 5-year-olds to attend kindergarten.

A woman with light skin tone, wearing a blue polo shirt, speaks in front of a classroom while holding up her hands to make a triangle. Students hold up their hands to make a triangle as well.

Federal funding for UCLA researchers has been restored — but things aren’t quite back to normal

Students fear that budget reductions at the federal level could threaten their professional futures.

Listen 3:40

Three small white mice are seen in a plastic container. A hypodermic needle can be seen lying nearby.

SoCal classrooms faced one battle after another in first year of Trump’s second term

Federal funding cuts and immigration policy were two significant issues among many that local educators navigated in 2025.

An older woman with light skin tone and short golden blond hair rests her hands on a wooden chair, while an older man with light skin tone and light hair wearing a blue suit lays one of his hands on top of hers.

11 new laws that will affect California schools in 2026

California students will see fewer cellphones and more gender-neutral bathrooms, as well as other new laws taking effect in the new year.

A slightly low angle view of the California State Capitol with a blue sky in the background.

A year after LA community colleges gave hundreds of students $1,000 a month, how are they faring?

L.A. Community College District launched a guaranteed basic income program in 2024. LAist checked in to see how students are doing and what they’re planning for the future.

Listen 0:45

A woman with medium skin tone and long burgundy hair smiles while holding two bouquets of flowers. She is clad in a black cap and gown and drenched in colorful stoles and ribbons.

Hey, LA listener!

Education

Raising kids?

Support education coverage