Policy Analysis for California Education

This new PACE brief introduces a three-part series describing California Education Partners’ multistage approach to supporting school districts with improving their students’ outcomes in literacy and mathematics. The approach addresses persistent barriers to improvement by building capacity in the district, piloting reforms, and focusing on scaling changes systemwide in sustainable ways. PACE authors Alix Gallagher and Benjamin Cottingham highlight the successes and challenges of Ed Partners’ approach, emphasizing the fundamental importance of leadership at the teacher, school, and district levels to drive change throughout the district. https://lnkd.in/gJWKYtqe

It’s exciting to see my research featured in CalMatters. https://lnkd.in/gMur3eAb As we continue grapple with how to improve student outcomes post-pandemic, the success of initiatives like the math program at Sierra House Elementary in Lake Tahoe Unified and the phonics-based reading program in Grass Valley stands out. These projects underscore how long-term, evidence-based support can drive meaningful improvement in teaching and learning. What’s personally meaningful to me about this work is how it highlights the importance of building educator capacity and creating coherence in instructional practices. These are not quick fixes—they are sustainable approaches that have a lasting impact on students. I hope these findings can inform efforts across California and beyond to tackle the challenges we face with clarity, transparency, and a commitment to proven practices. How can we work together to scale these types of successes? Let me know if you're interested in learning more.

PACE Senior Policy and Research Fellow / Bellwether Senior Associate Partner for Policy and Evaluation Carrie Hahnel underscores the challenge facing Oakland Unified: “At the end of the day, the school board has to be able to make difficult decisions—in the best interest of the future students of the school district.” https://lnkd.in/gdTAJ2Mq via ABC7 News Bay Area

CalMatters spotlights two new PACE case studies that explore promising school reforms in California. Projects focus on long-term system changes to help spread evidence-based strategies in Lake Tahoe Unified School District and Grass Valley School District—improving student outcomes. https://lnkd.in/g5xXxWG7

PACE Senior Policy and Research Fellow Carrie Hahnel: “By tying education funding to city lines and property taxes, we allow wealthy districts to thrive while poorer districts struggle.” Is this equity in action via the Local Control Funding Formula? https://lnkd.in/g9BA4F-6 via The Press Democrat

New PACE brief by Alix Gallagher and Benjamin Cottingham, part of a series on California Education Partners initiatives for sustainable change, describes a new approach to collaboration on improving literacy education in school districts. The collaboration between Grass Valley School District (GVSD) and Ed Partners supported piloting and scaling approaches with an emphasis on teacher leadership, internal accountability, and strategic data use. Assessment data, supported by teacher interviews, draw a picture of improvement in student performance as initiatives spread throughout the district. The authors recommend building teachers’ professional development, principals’ instructional leadership, and districtwide data use to further sustain these improvements. https://lnkd.in/gmVRPEe6

New PACE brief by Benjamin Cottingham and Alix Gallagher, part of a series on California Education Partners, describes a new approach to collaboration on improving mathematics instruction in California school districts. The collaboration between Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and Ed Partners centered on capacity building in math instruction and creating a collaborative system for refining instructional strategies. Students in the pilot school, Sierra House Elementary, who received instruction from participating teachers showed improvement in math assessment scores as compared to districtwide scores. This case study highlights the role of strong instructional leadership and strategic resource allocation in building adult capacity, improving instructional strategies, and scaling changes throughout the district. https://lnkd.in/gAUTZpei

New EdSource commentary co-authored by PACE Faculty Director and UCLA School of Education and Information Studies Professor of Education Cecilia Rios-Aguilar, Ph.D.: Community colleges serve nearly 2M Californians, yet BA programs are held back by myths—stigma, suspicion, and scrutiny. Addressing this mythology is key to meeting California’s degree demand. https://lnkd.in/gXzdVcB8

PACE Faculty Director Julie Marsh shares insights on how schools of education are pioneering education reform with research and hands-on service. Read Dr. Marsh’s new piece, “Out of the Ivory Tower and Into the Field,” here: https://lnkd.in/geZjjBbR via USC Rossier School of Education

PACE’s interim managing director Alix Gallagher: Attendance is rebounding—yet college readiness recovery remains “anemic.” Nearly half of California’s high school graduates are ineligible for UC or CSU admissions. “We need a different approach, starting at the state level.” https://lnkd.in/gQFFVkvA via CalMatters