The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Aug. 11 released updated COVID-19 guidance for schools, now emphasizing masking and testing over quarantines for exposed youth and staff. The updates are closely aligned with the K-12 schools guidance released by the California Department of Public […]
The California Department of Education is kickstarting efforts to recruit 10,000 new school-based mental health clinicians, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced during an Aug. 4 press conference. The latest state budget provides for new and expanded grant opportunities for aspiring mental health […]
States across the country are making progress in tracking and publicly reporting attendance data, but more is needed to ensure students are getting to class every day to take advantage of learning recovery efforts, according to a new report from Attendance Works. The report, Monitoring […]
In a series of audits and letters published in recent weeks, the Government Accountability Office has called attention to concerns over the impacts of COVID-related learning loss and trauma, restraint and seclusion rates, and persistent segregation in schools along racial, ethnic and socioeconomic lines. The […]
Climate change will have “increasingly severe impacts on early childhood and K‑12 education” — particularly from more frequent wildfires and extreme heat waves, according to a report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). “More frequent wildfires and extreme heat waves will increase the likelihood that […]
The California State Board of Education’s July 13–14 meeting included board approval of another delay in the state’s mathematics framework timeline and action on an updated accountability reporting template, as well as a deep dive into the history of the state’s current accountability system and […]
With California forging ahead in the establishment and expansion of community schools statewide, county offices of education are poised to play a major role in the support of local educational agencies making these challenging but crucial shifts. Included in the state’s California Community Schools Partnership […]
Strong relationships among leadership and stakeholders helped districts navigate challenges caused by COVID-19, the politicization of the pandemic and divided political beliefs, according to a new report from the Policy Analysis for California Education. Conducted during the first 14 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Crisis […]
In the more than 40 years since voters approved Proposition 13 in response to rising property taxes, the 1978 initiative has contributed to inadequate funding for public schools, as well as a widening wealth gap and acute housing shortage, according to a new report. “Unjust […]
Gaps remain in broadband access among Californians, but the latest data show local, state and federal efforts to bridge the digital divide have made significant progress since the onset of the pandemic — especially among students. Two new fact sheets from the Public Policy Institute […]
