THURSDAY, DEC. 19, 2024 State takes another step toward mandatory testing for reading difficulties in 2025 By John Fensterwald and Zaidee Stavely, EdSource Districts will have four options for screening instruments to identify reading difficulties among students in kindergarten through second grade. Read more How a ballet scholarship inspired a student to pursue her dreams When Gabriela Rodriguez was in third grade in San Jose Unified, her teacher recommended her for a scholarship to join the New Ballet school. Now, at 19, she is starring in The San Jose Nutcracker and dreams of teaching others the joy of dance. How can dance and other arts inspire and impact students’ education and life trajectories?