By CSBA President Susan Markarian As summer break draws to a close while temperatures still soar around the state, a hot topic on the minds of trustees, administrators and teachers alike is how to create a supportive and engaging school environment that makes students feel […]
Month: August 2023
New data shows steep increase in special education students
The number of students in special education in the United States has doubled over the past 40 years, according to new data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The total number of students in special education increased from 3.6 million in the 1976–76 school […]
California Attorney General files complaint for injunctive and declaratory relief against Chino Valley USD
On Aug. 28, 2023, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a complaint in California Superior Court, San Bernardino County, requesting a declaration that Chino Valley Unified School District’s new policy, Policy 5020.1, is unconstitutional under the California Constitution and/or state law. The complaint also asks […]
NCTQ analyzes state policies to diversify teacher workforce, offers recommendations
Throughout the country, many education leaders cite the importance of diversifying the teacher workforce, but fewer are actually putting policies in place to make it a reality, according to a new study. Researchers from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) examined state recruitment and […]
CTC examines educator career pathway tools, prep program completion
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing discussed during its Aug. 24-25 meeting how a host of factors — including how a Supreme Court decision could impede equitable access to higher education; attacks on educators, academics and the rights of students; and state-level challenges around housing, […]
Benefits of including equity data in teachers’ professional development
Teachers’ participation in a data-driven professional development model aimed at building more equitable classrooms increased their likelihood of discussing race, gender and other social markers, according to the recent UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools brief, “Using Equity Data from Classrooms to Support Teacher […]
Federal leaders announce K-12 cybersecurity guidance, resources and more
White House officials and the departments of Education and Homeland Security announced on Aug. 6 public and private initiatives to strengthen K-12 cyber defenses, as well as new guidance documents highlighting cybersecurity recommendations and promising practices from states and districts across the country. Jointly released […]
Court rules in favor of district in student privacy case
On July 10, Judge John A. Mendez of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California issued a decision in favor of Chico Unified School District in the case of Regino v. Staley, which involves a parent’s challenge to a school district […]
Ways to support teachers in the new school year
Most attendees of Education Week’s Aug. 17 webinar, “Start the School Year Strong: How K-12 Leaders Can Create Thriving Schools for Teachers and Staff,” said they were very optimistic for the 2023–34 academic year to begin. That is consistent with results from a survey the […]
Supporting early childhood development through holistic public policy
Inequities in socioeconomic and daily living conditions can cause adverse outcomes for young people that persist through their lifetime, but early interventions can make a difference in K-12 achievement and adult life, according to the report Strengthening Early Childhood Health, Housing, Education, and Economic Well-Being […]