KEY FINDINGS

UNCREDENTIALED TEACHERS: More than 31,000 teachers in California are learning on the job, lacking the training needed for state certification.

*

UNFOCUSED TRAINING: Most of the state’s teachers come from the Cal State University system, often completing an undemanding “liberal studies” major.

*

STILL POPULAR: Despite the poor performance of the state’s students, a Times poll found that few Californians blame teachers. More than a third credit teachers for schools’ successes.

*

LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY: California spends $36 billion on education, but devotes little attention to measuring what works.

*

GRAND GESTURES: Education leaders often embrace grand gestures-- special programs that promise to fix educational problems. These bring extra funds, but little follow-up.

*

10 SCHOOLS: A program that sought to bring test scores in 10 South-Central Los Angeles schools up to national averages is a case study in exaggerated claims.