Year: 2024

Modest progress on School Dashboard continues trend of sluggish growth

The California Department of Education (CDE) unveiled the latest edition of the California School Dashboard on Nov. 21, touting “continued progress in academic achievement and graduation rates” and a “decline in chronic absenteeism.” While some growth was evident, a look at the underlying data reveals a more complicated picture of student performance — one that demands greater scrutiny of the status quo, increased investment in public schools, and wider replication of local strategies that have accelerated student achievement and well-being.

Commission makes selections for new math instructional materials reviewers

At its last meeting of 2024, the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) on Nov. 20 considered applications for instructional materials reviewers (IMRs) and content review experts (CREs) for the 2025 Mathematics Instructional Materials Adoption and voted on the list of individuals it is recommending to the State Board of Education (SBE).

LAO releases much-anticipated state budget revenue projections for 2025–26

Slightly higher state revenues driven by continued stock market growth means the LAO’s assessment offers a brighter picture than last year’s dismal forecast, but storm clouds remain on the horizon due to weakness in the overall state economy, the unpredictability of future tax revenues, and fiscal pressures that are problematic for local educational agencies.

Expert panel details strategies to help LEAs support undocumented students

Californians Together hosted a Nov. 7 webinar featuring lawyers and school practitioners discussing undocumented youth, partnership models for local educational agencies and legal service providers, and what’s next for federal and state policy. “In supporting our immigrant students and communities, we are facing extraordinary uncertainty […]

Prioritizing outdoor learning in state-funded preschool programs

The National Institute for Early Education Research’s (NIEER) policy brief “State Policies and Guidance Relating to Outdoor and Nature-Based Experiences in Preschool” explores the potential academic, developmental and health benefits that outdoor and nature-based experiences can have for preschoolers.

School Boards in Action: 5 Questions with Madonna M. Gerrell, Palm Springs USD

Madonna M. Gerrell, board president, Palm Springs Unified School District How long have you been on the school board and why are you passionate about your work? For the past eight years, I have actively served as a member of the Palm Springs Unified School […]

State Board delays changes to student assessment reports, finalizes LCAP template

During its final meeting of 2024, the California State Board of Education (SBE) pushed back updates to student assessment reporting, adopted revisions to the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) template, and heard ideas from student leaders throughout the state to improve their outcomes and […]

Survey shows school shooter drills do not make teachers feel safe or prepared for a real incident

One in six teachers nationwide works in a district impacted by gun violence since the 2019–20 school year, according to a Rand Corp. report released Sept. 18. Additionally, teachers were more concerned about being victims of gun violence in the 2023–24 school year than in […]