Congressional committee details the range of benefits school meal programs provide

Investing in school meal programs not only supports children’s well-being and combats food insecurity for the estimated 3.3 million households in which children face food insecurity nationwide, it also boosts the economy, according to a report released in August by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic […]

National Suicide Prevention Month: CSBA expert shares the effects of bullying and cyberbullying

Research suggests that youth who experience bullying and/or cyberbullying may be more at risk for suicidal thoughts. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month, Angela Asch, CSBA principal research manager and author of the Safe Schools Toolkit section on bullying and cyberbullying, is sharing relevant insights and resources for local educational agencies in this Q&A.   

Cross-sector collaboration needed to improve, expand AI-use in schools

Schools lag in preparing teachers and students for the impact of the unprecedented technological shift that’s been ushered in by artificial intelligence (AI), according to a new report from the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE). In April 2024, CRPE convened more than 60 state […]

Legislature wraps up the two-year 2023–24 legislative session

Ending at midnight on Aug. 31, the state Legislature adjourned the 2023–24 session. Although it adjourned, the Legislature’s final day will formally be Nov. 30, when the current two-year session formally ends. Although the Legislature’s regular business is done, it its policy work will continue. […]

Report spotlights need to continue social-emotional services even after federal pandemic funding ends

With Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds that have been essential to local educational agencies’ efforts to support students’ mental health and academic needs running dry, a report by EdTrust calls on state leaders to take stock of what worked and prioritize using […]

Commission on Teacher Credentialing provides updates on Literacy Performance Assessment

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing had a  meeting Aug. 29-30, with the second day spent in closed session to discuss a pending legal case. Much of the Aug. 29 agenda focused on progress related to pilot testing and other items associated with the upcoming […]

CDC survey on youth risk behaviors shows increase in teens experiencing violence

A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention summarizes results from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and compares it to data from the last decade on topics including mental health, substance use, sexual behavior and experiences with violence, as well as new and emerging issues like social media use and housing instability.