By CSBA President Albert Gonzalez As I sat down to write this column, my first as CSBA President, I couldn’t help but consider my upbringing and the path that led me to this point. I never could have imagined myself in this position when I […]
Year: 2024
Survey provides national snapshot of teacher attrition
As schools nationwide grapple with teacher shortages, recruiting and retaining educators remains a critical part of addressing students’ academic needs. According to the results from the Current Teacher and Former Teacher questionnaires of the 2021–22 Teacher Follow-up Survey, teacher attrition rates have remained steady. A […]
Communicating before, during and after a crisis: Expert tips for LEAs
A Jan. 23 CSBA webinar featured expert tips from local educational agency leaders on best practices for crisis communications before, during and after a safety incident. Whether handling a social media, email or other anonymous threat or the presence of a trespasser or suspicious object […]
IQC approves revisions to local instructional materials adoption guidance
The Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) met on Jan. 24 to consider recommendations on the revised Guidance for Local Instructional Materials Adoptions, determine various leadership and committee positions and approve 2024 goals. While convening on Jan. 23 for an orientation, four new commissioners appointed by the […]
CCEE’s professional learning community model has promising first year, report finds
Teachers, who too often are left to work in isolation and lack instructional support or clear expectations, are struggling to help students rebound academically and personally post-pandemic. Policy Analysis for California Education’s (PACE) December report What Does It Take to Accelerate the Learning of Every […]
What LEAs can do to support foster youth and prepare them for the future
A new report details the significant overhaul needed across sectors to better support and prepare those exiting the foster care system as they transition into adulthood — and schools can play an important role in reinforcing this work. Released Jan. 24 by the Institute for […]
Gen Z needs more hands-on STEM experience, poll shows
While 75 percent of Gen Z youth are interested in science, technology, engineering and math-centered careers, only about 29 percent list a STEM role as their first-choice career, according to the results of a Gallup and Walton Family Foundation poll released in December. Despite the […]
Innovative literacy programs in Oakland USD proving successful
A duo of recent reports from the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) detail a movement of community involvement taking place in Oakland’s education system that is improving literacy rates. Communities in the driver’s seat: Intensive training, deep investment power parent-led literacy programs in Oakland […]
State Board starts the year with a STEM-centered agenda
Kicking off the first State Board of Education meeting in 2024 on Jan. 18, the board moved ahead on items related to assessment, instructional materials, guidance for local educational agencies, the California School Dashboard, grant allocations and more — with a particular focus on science, […]
New research explores the use of AI tools in identifying students in crisis
With youth suicidality on the rise and schools struggling to hire the number of mental health professionals needed to support students, local educational agencies have begun to turn to artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools to help identify those at risk for suicide and self-harm. However, a […]