Diana Lambert
@dianalambert.bsky.social
Senior writer covering education for EdSource. Former education reporter for the Sacramento Bee. Sacramento State graduate.
California audits 428 schools with low vaccination rates edsource.org?page_id=749754 @wearecta.bsky.social #vaccination #measles
California audits 428 schools with low vaccination rates
California is auditing 428 of its public schools due to low vaccination rates. In the meantime, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rolled back recommendations for some childhood vaccin...
edsource.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:25 PM
California audits 428 schools with low vaccination rates edsource.org?page_id=749754 @wearecta.bsky.social #vaccination #measles
Twin Rivers Unified board voted against allowing Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools to revise its charters, which may indicate how the board will vote later this month on whether to close the school. edsource.org?page_id=748979 via @edsource edsource.org?page_id=748979. #edchat
Twin Rivers Unified board denies Highlands charter schools’ revision appeal
The Twin Rivers Unified School District board voted against allowing Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools to revise its charters, which may indicate how the board will vote later this mon...
edsource.org
January 14, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Twin Rivers Unified board voted against allowing Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools to revise its charters, which may indicate how the board will vote later this month on whether to close the school. edsource.org?page_id=748979 via @edsource edsource.org?page_id=748979. #edchat
Newsom’s last budget as governor would give schools and community colleges an unexpected $22 billion edsource.org?page_id=748676 @emmagallegos.bsky.social @zstavely.bsky.social @tonythurmond.bsky.social
Newsom’s last budget as governor would give schools and community colleges an unexpected $22 billion
Per student state funding for TK-12 will rise to a record $20,427 in 2026-27, bringing the total student funding, including federal funds, to $27,418.
edsource.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:51 PM
Newsom’s last budget as governor would give schools and community colleges an unexpected $22 billion edsource.org?page_id=748676 @emmagallegos.bsky.social @zstavely.bsky.social @tonythurmond.bsky.social
California teachers unions consider strikes amid ongoing contract disputes edsource.org?page_id=747044 @wearecta.bsky.social @utlanow.bsky.social @lausdsup.bsky.social #teachers
California teachers unions consider strikes amid ongoing contract disputes
Teachers unions across California, fueled by the "We Can't Wait" campaign, are rallying for higher pay, better benefits, smaller class sizes and other classroom improvements, with some threatening to ...
edsource.org
December 15, 2025 at 6:20 PM
California teachers unions consider strikes amid ongoing contract disputes edsource.org?page_id=747044 @wearecta.bsky.social @utlanow.bsky.social @lausdsup.bsky.social #teachers
West Contra Costa Unified's teachers strike ends after reaching tentative agreement edsource.org?page_id=746753 @wearecta.bsky.social
West Contra Costa Unified’s teachers strike ends after reaching tentative agreement
After a marathon bargaining session, the district agreed to give teachers an 8% pay raise over two years, plus other concessions, to end the nearly weeklong strike.
edsource.org
December 10, 2025 at 5:56 PM
West Contra Costa Unified's teachers strike ends after reaching tentative agreement edsource.org?page_id=746753 @wearecta.bsky.social
New leaders of charter school that owes state $180 million make the case for keeping school open edsource.org?page_id=746259 @edsource.org @tonythurmond.bsky.social
Highlands charter leaders make the case for keeping school open
The new leaders of Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools are working to rebuild trust after a state audit found former administrators took ineligible state funds, hired uncredentialed teac...
edsource.org
December 4, 2025 at 6:55 PM
New leaders of charter school that owes state $180 million make the case for keeping school open edsource.org?page_id=746259 @edsource.org @tonythurmond.bsky.social
West Contra Costa teachers union calls strike for Thursday edsource.org?page_id=746118 @edsource.org @wearecta.bsky.social #edchat #teachers
West Contra Costa teachers union calls strike for Thursday
If not averted before Thursday, the action would be the first teachers strike in California this school year.
edsource.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
West Contra Costa teachers union calls strike for Thursday edsource.org?page_id=746118 @edsource.org @wearecta.bsky.social #edchat #teachers
New directors named to Highlands charter board amid closure hearing edsource.org?page_id=745771 #edchat
UPDATE: New directors named to Highlands charter board amid closure hearing
The latest education news updates from EdSource.
edsource.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
New directors named to Highlands charter board amid closure hearing edsource.org?page_id=745771 #edchat
Reposted by Diana Lambert
The proposal estimates that 54% of California resident undergraduates would receive enough aid to offset the tuition increases.
Learn more: buff.ly/fWM6ZBG
Learn more: buff.ly/fWM6ZBG
November 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The proposal estimates that 54% of California resident undergraduates would receive enough aid to offset the tuition increases.
Learn more: buff.ly/fWM6ZBG
Learn more: buff.ly/fWM6ZBG
California state officials and some education advocates joined others around the country in condemning a plan by the Trump administration to disassemble the U.S. Department of Education. @tonythurmond.bsky.social #edchat #caeducation
edsource.org?page_id=745409
edsource.org?page_id=745409
California officials condemn Trump’s plan to break up U.S. Department of Education
The Trump administration's decision to move some programs to other federal agencies has been met with criticism from California state officials and education advocates who argue that it will harm vuln...
edsource.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:24 PM
California state officials and some education advocates joined others around the country in condemning a plan by the Trump administration to disassemble the U.S. Department of Education. @tonythurmond.bsky.social #edchat #caeducation
edsource.org?page_id=745409
edsource.org?page_id=745409
California School Dashboard show incremental gains in graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement and college readiness, but schools still struggle to make up for pandemic losses. edsource.org?page_id=745050 via @edsource.org @bayareadata.press @tonythurmond.bsky.social
ANALYSIS: California School Dashboard shows progress and challenges
California schools have made incremental gains in graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement and college readiness, but many schools are still struggling with high levels of chronic a...
edsource.org
November 14, 2025 at 6:41 PM
California School Dashboard show incremental gains in graduation rates, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement and college readiness, but schools still struggle to make up for pandemic losses. edsource.org?page_id=745050 via @edsource.org @bayareadata.press @tonythurmond.bsky.social
The fate of Highlands Community Charter hinges on a Dec. 2 hearing in Sacramento. A state audit found the school misspent $180M in K-12 funding and eliminated a grade to avoid testing, among other things. @wearecta.bsky.social @gavinnewsom.bsky.social
edsource.org?page_id=744605 via @edsource
edsource.org?page_id=744605 via @edsource
Twin Rivers Unified board vote puts Highlands Community Charter’s future in jeopardy
The Twin Rivers Unified school board voted to hold a public hearing on Dec. 2 to decide whether to close Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools, which was found to have misspent $180 millio...
edsource.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The fate of Highlands Community Charter hinges on a Dec. 2 hearing in Sacramento. A state audit found the school misspent $180M in K-12 funding and eliminated a grade to avoid testing, among other things. @wearecta.bsky.social @gavinnewsom.bsky.social
edsource.org?page_id=744605 via @edsource
edsource.org?page_id=744605 via @edsource
‘Everyone is scrambling’: California School communities mobilize to help feed families affected by SNAP food crisis. edsource.org?page_id=744323 @emmagallegos.bsky.social @zstavely.bsky.social @lashericat.bsky.social @mallikaseshadri.bsky.social @gavinnewsom.bsky.social #SNAP
‘Everyone is scrambling’: School communities respond to SNAP food crisis
California schools, families, community organizations and students have been mobilizing to help those affected by delays in SNAP. They are raising funds, soliciting food donations and coordinating wit...
edsource.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:06 PM
‘Everyone is scrambling’: California School communities mobilize to help feed families affected by SNAP food crisis. edsource.org?page_id=744323 @emmagallegos.bsky.social @zstavely.bsky.social @lashericat.bsky.social @mallikaseshadri.bsky.social @gavinnewsom.bsky.social #SNAP
Four Head Start programs in California will not receive their annual federal funding due to the U.S. government shutdown, potentially impacting 1,000 vulnerable children and their families.http://edsource.org/?page_id=744091
California Head Start programs face uncertainty as federal funds are paused
Four Head Start programs in California will not receive their annual federal funding due to the U.S. government shutdown, potentially impacting 1,000 vulnerable children and their families.
edsource.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Four Head Start programs in California will not receive their annual federal funding due to the U.S. government shutdown, potentially impacting 1,000 vulnerable children and their families.http://edsource.org/?page_id=744091
The California Department of Education has until March 31 to select a list of potential screeners to determine if TK students need help learning English. Screeners will be tested next year before screening begins in 2027-28. @zstavely.bsky.social @tonythurmond.bsky.social edsource.org?page_id=743756
California rethinks how to identify 4-year-olds who need extra help learning English
The challenge is that children at this age are still developing language skills. In the past, students would sometimes cry and put their heads down on the desk during tests.
edsource.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The California Department of Education has until March 31 to select a list of potential screeners to determine if TK students need help learning English. Screeners will be tested next year before screening begins in 2027-28. @zstavely.bsky.social @tonythurmond.bsky.social edsource.org?page_id=743756
The White House’s decision to add a $100,000 fee to the H-1B visa, which allows employers to hire from overseas for hard-to-fill positions, could negatively impact school districts already facing severe teacher shortages. edsource.org?page_id=743591 @wearecta.bsky.social @gavinnewsom.bsky.social
White House visa fee hike could weaken California’s teacher pipeline
The White House's decision to add a $100,000 fee to the H-1B visa, which allows employers to hire from overseas for hard-to-fill positions, could negatively impact school districts already facing seve...
edsource.org
October 27, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The White House’s decision to add a $100,000 fee to the H-1B visa, which allows employers to hire from overseas for hard-to-fill positions, could negatively impact school districts already facing severe teacher shortages. edsource.org?page_id=743591 @wearecta.bsky.social @gavinnewsom.bsky.social
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs new law that will change how California kids learn to read. The state joins a national effort to focus on evidence-based reading instruction, including phonics. edsource.org?page_id=742396 @zstavely.bsky.social @climateofgavin.bsky.social @lausdsup.bsky.social #literacy
New law changes how California kids learn to read
California Governor Gavin Newsom has approved Assembly Bill 1454, which provides elementary school teachers with training in evidence-based reading instruction, and includes $480 million in the 2025-2...
edsource.org
October 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs new law that will change how California kids learn to read. The state joins a national effort to focus on evidence-based reading instruction, including phonics. edsource.org?page_id=742396 @zstavely.bsky.social @climateofgavin.bsky.social @lausdsup.bsky.social #literacy
Despite test score gains, California students still lag behind pre-pandemic levels. CSBA and other education advocates say more need to be done to close the achievement gap. edsource.org?page_id=742613 @governor.ca.gov @edtrust.bsky.social #literacy
Despite test score gains, California students still lag behind pre-pandemic levels
Although there were some improvements, California students are still struggling to increase their scores to pre-pandemic levels.
edsource.org
October 9, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Despite test score gains, California students still lag behind pre-pandemic levels. CSBA and other education advocates say more need to be done to close the achievement gap. edsource.org?page_id=742613 @governor.ca.gov @edtrust.bsky.social #literacy
Report: Teacher pay penalty growing edsource.org?page_id=741790
edsource.org
September 30, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Report: Teacher pay penalty growing edsource.org?page_id=741790
More women are now leading U.S. school districts, study says edsource.org?page_id=740876
UPDATE: More women are now leading U.S. school districts, study says
The latest education news updates from EdSource.
edsource.org
September 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
More women are now leading U.S. school districts, study says edsource.org?page_id=740876
LISTEN to Education Beat podcast on Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools' $180 million debt to the state of California. How did this promising charter school become an example for the need for charter reform.
edsource.org/podcast/char...
edsource.org/podcast/char...
PODCAST: How a charter school serving adults became embroiled in scandal and sparked calls for reform
An audit found the charter received millions in funding for which it was not eligible, assigned teachers to classes they were not credentialed to teach, and avoided standardized testing, in addition t...
edsource.org
September 11, 2025 at 9:30 PM
LISTEN to Education Beat podcast on Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools' $180 million debt to the state of California. How did this promising charter school become an example for the need for charter reform.
edsource.org/podcast/char...
edsource.org/podcast/char...
Supporters of California bill to extend substitute teaching time say it would provide greater continuity, but opponents fear it could negatively impact student achievement. @wearecta.bsky.social #cateachers #credentialing edsource.org?page_id=740428 via @edsource edsource.org?page_id=740428
Bill to extend substitute teaching time raises academic concerns
Supporters say extending classroom contracts for substitute teachers would provide greater continuity, but opponents fear it could negatively impact student achievement.
edsource.org
September 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Supporters of California bill to extend substitute teaching time say it would provide greater continuity, but opponents fear it could negatively impact student achievement. @wearecta.bsky.social #cateachers #credentialing edsource.org?page_id=740428 via @edsource edsource.org?page_id=740428
Some educators and advocates are worried that President Trump’s decision to rescind federal guidance on teaching English learners could mean scaled back instruction for California students and an end to providing translations to families. @zstavely.bsky.social
edsource.org?page_id=740199
edsource.org?page_id=740199
California leaders warn schools: English learner rights remain despite Trump rollback
The Trump administration has rescinded guidelines on how schools should teach English learners, which has caused concern for administrators and families.
edsource.org
September 8, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Some educators and advocates are worried that President Trump’s decision to rescind federal guidance on teaching English learners could mean scaled back instruction for California students and an end to providing translations to families. @zstavely.bsky.social
edsource.org?page_id=740199
edsource.org?page_id=740199
Jonathan Raymond has taken the reins of Highlands Community Charter, the recent subject of state audit that found it owed $180 mil. He wants the state to allow the school to continue educating adults who are trying to better themselves.http://edsource.org/?page_id=739996 @gavinnewsom.bsky.social
Former Sacramento superintendent takes charge at troubled charter school
Jonathan Raymond has taken the reins of Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools, which was recently the subject of a critical state audit. He is asking the state to allow the school to conti...
edsource.org
September 4, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Jonathan Raymond has taken the reins of Highlands Community Charter, the recent subject of state audit that found it owed $180 mil. He wants the state to allow the school to continue educating adults who are trying to better themselves.http://edsource.org/?page_id=739996 @gavinnewsom.bsky.social
How a Sacramento charter school misused $180 million and became a poster child for reform edsource.org?page_id=739782 #charters
How a Sacramento charter school misused $180 million and became a poster child for reform
Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools in Sacramento has been found to have misused $180 million in K-12 funds, hired unqualified teachers, and wasted taxpayer money, leading to increased scrutiny of charter school oversight.
edsource.org
September 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
How a Sacramento charter school misused $180 million and became a poster child for reform edsource.org?page_id=739782 #charters