Under the shift that Gov. Gavin Newsom will announce Thursday, the state superintendent of public instruction would have a different role, an “independent champion” and ombudsman for education. Numerous studies, including one last month, have recommended the idea.
Education
Posted inEducation
This change could deliver billions of more dollars to California schools. Here’s the tradeoff
By basing funding on enrollment, not attendance numbers, California schools would lose the incentive to get students to show up every day, a new report finds.
Posted inEducation
Newsmakers 2025: County Superintendent Faris Sabbah discusses a challenging year in education
Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah says local schools are navigating sweeping federal policy changes and funding cuts by reaffirming their commitment to equity and strengthening communication and support for families.
Posted inLatest News
Newsmakers 2025: Those we lost
Santa Cruz County lost a number of prominent people in 2025, including activists, journalists, artists and academics.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
California should tax million-dollar, part-time homes to help first-gen students get to college
First-generation students lack the extra help with exams and college applications that rich kids’ families can buy. A new program and tax could change that, writes Alondra Martinez, a Stanford University senior.
Posted inEducation
New Pajaro Valley Unified school board president surprises with management style
New PVUSD board president Carol Turley’s first meeting in the role was marked by frequent interruptions of fellow trustees and a stricter enforcement of agenda limits, leaving some board members and labor leaders frustrated and questioning her leadership style.
Posted inEducation
CSUMB led state university system with top graduation rate improvements during 10-year initiative
California State University Monterey Bay was the only campus in the 22-school CSU system to meet all six goals of the system’s decadelong Graduation Initiative 2025. The campus led the state in improvements to four- and six-year graduation rates for both first-time and transfer students.
Posted inEducation
Christmas Day winds up to 114 mph damage UC Lick Observatory
Powerful Christmas Day winds gusting up to 114 mph severely damaged UC Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, forcing the nearly 140-year-old facility to close while officials headquartered at UC Santa Cruz assess structural damage and begin repairs expected to take months.
Posted inEducation
Newsmakers 2025: Watsonville activist reflects on monthlong hunger strike against pesticides
Watsonville activist Omar Dieguez discusses the impact of his monthlong hunger strike against pesticide applications near schools in the Pajaro Valley and also shares more details on his work to empower youth in his community.
Posted inEducation
Seymour Marine Discovery Center prepares for biggest exhibition update since its opening 25 years ago: See More HQ
For the first time since opening 25 years ago, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center will debut a new permanent exhibit this spring, See More HQ, designed to position the center as a collaborative hub connecting local scientists, community groups and the public around coastal resilience.