Diana Lambert
Diana Lambert covers teachers and teaching. Before coming to EdSource, Diana was an education reporter for The Sacramento Bee for more than a decade. She has won numerous awards, including the 2017 James Madison Freedom of Information Award from the Society of Professional Journalism, and both a first-place honor for investigative reporting from The Inland Press Association and the McClatchy President’s Award in 2016. Before becoming an education reporter Diana was a bureau chief for the Sacramento Bee. She began her career at age 17 as a part-time proofreader for the Lodi News-Sentinel. Diana earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento.
All articles by Diana Lambert
New laws impacting education go into effect as the school year begins
One new law requires elementary schools offer free menstrual products in some bathrooms, and another requires that all students learn about climate change.
Diana Lambert, Zaidee Stavely, Emma Gallegos, Mallika Seshadri, And Amy DiPierro
August 12, 2024
Pressure from education advocates ends effort to eliminate teacher assessment
Legislation to remove the last licensure test California teacher candidates are required to take was halted when education advocates rallied to keep the performance assessment.
Diana Lambert
August 9, 2024
School year already underway at some California districts as start dates keep creeping earlier
California school districts have moved away from the September return to school that was common in California and other states until the 1990s.
Diana Lambert
August 1, 2024
Newsom signs bill to end parental notification policies at schools; opponents say fight is not over
California is the first state to pass a law prohibiting school boards from requiring staff to notify parents if their child could be transgender.
Diana Lambert And Monica Velez
July 17, 2024
Budget would require districts to post plans to educate kids in emergencies
California school districts have one year to develop a plan to continue student instruction after an emergency closes schools, according to a budget bill signed by the governor.
Diana Lambert
July 2, 2024
California prepares to launch first phase of new education data system
Cradle-to-Career Data System will launch its first dashboards this year. It is expected to provide resources for students planning for college and careers, and help inform policy.
Diana Lambert
June 21, 2024
Lack of reliable education data hamstrings California lawmakers and the public
Knowing whether educational programs and policies are working can be difficult in California because data available on the Department of Education website is sometimes outdated and inaccurate.
Diana Lambert
June 20, 2024
Research casts doubt on proposed legislation ending teaching performance assessments
Teaching performance assessments, currently on the chopping block in California, can be used to help evaluate teacher preparation programs, new research reveals.
Diana Lambert
June 11, 2024
Rural counties far from universities struggle to recruit teachers
Nine counties located more than an hour away from universities with teacher preparation programs face particular difficulties.
Diana Lambert
April 26, 2024
California moves a step closer to eliminating one of the state’s last teacher assessments
Legislation that would remove one of the last tests teachers are required to take to earn a credential in California passed the Senate Education Committee.
Diana Lambert
April 19, 2024
Anxious California teachers with pink slips await word on jobs next school year
Budget shortfalls have led 100 California school districts to issue layoff notices to 1,900 teachers.
Diana Lambert
April 18, 2024
Bill to mandate 'science of reading' in California classrooms dies
A bill to mandate use of the method will not advance in the Legislature this year in the face of teachers union opposition.
Diana Lambert, John Fensterwald, And Zaidee Stavely
April 12, 2024
Bill to mandate 'science of reading' in California schools faces teachers union opposition
The move puts the fate of AB 2222 in question, but supporters insist that there is room to negotiate changes that can help tackle the state's literacy crisis.
Diana Lambert, John Fensterwald, And Zaidee Stavely
April 5, 2024
California, districts try to recruit and retain Black teachers; advocates say more should be done
In the last five years, state lawmakers have made earning a credential easier and more affordable, and have offered incentives for school staff to become teachers.
Diana Lambert
April 3, 2024
Bias, extra work and feelings of isolation: 5 Black teachers tell their stories
Five Black teachers talk about what they face each day in California classrooms, and what needs to change to recruit and retain more Black teachers.