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The article reports that California's Instructional Quality Commission has adopted several K-8 history and social studies textbooks that highlight LGBT people as part of implementing the state's 2011 FAIR Education Act.

The article discusses the difficulties facing California school districts and teachers implementing the state's Fair, Accurate, Inclusive, and Respectful Education (FAIR) Act, which requires California students to be instructed on the societal and historical contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, in addition to people with disabilities.

The article discusses changes proposed for the California State Teachers' Retirement Plan (calSTRS) by U.S. Governor Jerry Brown. Topics include Governor Brown's plans to replenish the teachers' pension fund within 32 years, the concerns of the California School Boards Association regarding the state's education funding, and how the changes effect the state financial plan the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).

Reports on the class action lawsuits filed in California and Arizona that reflect the escalating conflict between the push to hold all high school students to rigorous graduation standards and the difficulties being faced by minorities and disadvantaged students in passing state exit exams. Basis of civil liberties advocates for their effort to prevent both states from requiring the class of 2006 to pass an exit examination in order to graduate; Status of state funding for minority students in Arizona; Details of a similar lawsuit filed against the California High School Exit Examination.

The article reports that the advocacy group Students Matter has brought a lawsuit against several school districts in California challenging collective bargaining agreements with teachers that specify that student test scores may not be used in teacher evaluations, and cites California law.

The article discusses appeals by California teachers' unions in the case Vergara v. California regarding state laws on teacher quality in relation to teacher tenure, due process, and teacher layoffs.

The article discusses California state legislators' efforts to reform teacher dismissal policy in California through the enactment of the state's bill SB 843.

The article discusses a California state law approved in August 2013 which allows teacher education programs to offer up to two years of formal preparation, an increase of the previous one-year restriction. Information is provided on California's near-elimination of an undergraduate teaching degree in 1970 and requirements for a yearlong postbaccalaureate program that included pedagogical skills and student-teaching. Comments from Linda Darling-Hammond of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing are included.