Schoolaroo’s August report The U.S Teacher Shortage 2023: A State by State Breakdown offers a glimpse into the scarcity of educators across the nation. “At the heart of our society lies the invaluable teaching profession — entrusted with nurturing the educational journey of our youngest […]
Month: September 2023
Legislature wraps up first year of two-year legislative session
After a busy final week, the Legislature had a somewhat quiet end of the 2023 legislative session, closing out its business and adjourning for the year just after midnight Sept. 15 for the “interim study session.” Of the legislation passed in the final days of this year’s […]
Expert tips on how to better engage non-English-speaking families
Each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, local educational agencies observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. In California, about 56 percent of students […]
Proposed K-12 nutrition guidance could significantly impact children’s long-term health outcomes
Even partial compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposed updates to K-12 nutrition guidance would lead to overall reductions in short- and long-term health issues for participating students, according to a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. At a time […]
State Board approves LCAP template, adopts changes to accountability reporting and measuring student performance
The California State Board of Education (SBE) took action on items related to student performance and accountability during its one-day Sept. 13 meeting. Board President Linda Darling-Hammond also noted the new academic year is in full swing with novel supports in place for children and […]
Spark student civic engagement during September High School Voter Education Weeks
Per California Education Code, the last two weeks of September are designated as High School Voter Education Weeks, a time for teens to learn about and prepare to engage in the democratic process. Schools are encouraged to partner with local county elections officials “to promote […]
Study finds reduced suspension rates using empathetic discipline program and MTSS
Removing students from the classroom through exclusionary discipline practices like suspensions and expulsions has been proven to negatively impact academic achievement and disproportionately affect specific groups including students of color, low-income children, LGBTQ youth, males and students with disabilities. Those trends proved true on the […]
Communication can help students get off to a strong start with attendance
With chronic absenteeism rates in California still hovering at about double where they were prior to the pandemic (22 percent compared to about 10 percent), communicating to families the importance of getting children to school is more important than ever. To aid local educational agencies […]
Resources to support student health, attendance this school year
It’s widely recognized that students are more likely to show up to school when they feel safe, connected and supported, but how can educators make those conditions a reality? A variety of resources and strategies available to assist local educational agencies in their attempts to […]
A look at A-G course completion and strategies for improvement
A trio of resources recently published by Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) — a policy brief “Addressing Inequities in College Preparatory Course-Taking,” a report Inequality in Academic Preparation for College and a resource guide Insights and Strategies from Exemplar School Districts — provide local […]