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 […]

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 […]

Engaging families can reduce political polarization in schools

District partnerships with parents are key to solving heightened political polarization in schools, according to an Aug. 10 brief from The Brookings Institution. From lawsuits to violent incidents at school events and board meetings, national surveys of K–12 educators — including district leaders, principals and […]