President Obama's 2014 budget proposes an increase to funding for expanded learning opportunities through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant program. This is an exciting step in the right direction for our low income children and youth, because we know, after decades of research, that the lack...

Given that school finance systems are often not designed to provide equitable opportunities for student learning and support, the Community School approach is an effective and efficient way to make the most of existing resources to meet a child's needs. Most importantly, this approach allows school districts and communities to...

For California schools, the consequences of the sequester mean broad spending cuts to public school systems that will hit low-income children the hardest. The cuts themselves are the same across the board, five percent of federal funding, and will dramatically reduce the amount available to government agencies including education. Because...

By Tom Torlakson, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction and Jennifer Peck, Executive Director, Partnership for Children and Youth

In 2002, California made a historic investment that forever changed the landscape of our education system. With the passage of Proposition 49, an unprecedented half a billion dollars was devoted to...

When voters go to the polls next month, it's critical to know what's really at stake for our children's education.

Across the country, and here in California, if statewide and local school funding measures do not pass, it will result in shorter school years, longer summers, and even greater...

This week, the California STEM Learning Network will convene its annual California STEM Summit, bringing together leaders from education, business, philanthropy, academia, industry, government and nonprofits alike to catalyze STEM teaching and learning across the state and create a blueprint for how other states can follow suit.

Jumpstarting...

Expand learning opportunities -- it's a critical call that we hear everywhere from the White House to state capitols to the local schoolhouse. Students need more time for learning both inside and outside of the traditional school day. Parents want their children to be able to take advantage of academically...

Earlier this month, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and dozens of school superintendents from across California gathered to talk about summer. The roundtable of education leaders discussed and strategized around ways that school districts can expand access to quality summer-learning programs in 2012.

Why...

This post is co-authored by Lucy N. Friedman, President, The After-School Corporation and Jennifer Peck, Executive Director, Partnership for Children and Youth.

Last week, Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Richard Burr (R-NC) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced five bills to...

In California and around the U.S., the public, private, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors alike are investing resources and forging new partnerships to address America's glaring education crisis in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Initiatives to bolster STEM education are becoming ubiquitous, with President Obama repeatedly emphasizing the critical...

This week in San Diego, thought leaders, policy makers and health experts are convening for the 6th Biennial Childhood Obesity Conference, the nation's largest collaboration of professionals dedicated to combating child obesity, to showcase the latest research, best practices and strategies toward reducing our country's ballooning childhood obesity...

Most of us know June 21 as the longest day of the year and the first official day of summer.

But the 21 of June is also a call to action in support of our children and youth -- National Summer Learning Day, a nationwide celebration of the...

While many families are planning summers filled with educationally enriching activities for their kids, the vast majority of low-income children in the U.S. lack access to fun and beneficial summer learning opportunities.

For these disadvantaged youth, summer months can be lonely and boring, and place them at increased risk for...