By Christina Hecht and Jennifer McNeil Unemployment hits California hard The California Employment Development Department estimates that unemployment reached nearly 25 percent by mid-May 2020. In the eight-week period between March 14 and May 14, the EDD processed 4.7 million unemployment benefit claims — nearly […]
Author: Kimberly Sellery
Legislature agrees on budget that rejects K–12 education cuts, counts on federal aid
The Legislature on Wednesday unveiled a 2020–21 budget proposal that prioritizes education and rejects the $8.1 billion in cuts to Proposition 98 funding called for in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May Revision proposal, including the 10 percent reduction to the Local Control Funding Formula. The Senate […]
CCEE webinar offers distance learning needs, strategies for small districts
Weighing the digital divide and its particular challenges in rural areas lacking needed infrastructure, experts say a blend of analog and digital learning opportunities is one practical solution to engage students as the school year ends and summer offerings begin. Also strongly encouraged during a […]
Executive order temporarily suspends exam requirements for teacher candidates
Individuals enrolled in teacher preparation programs during the 2019–20 school year will be allowed to obtain their California preliminary credential without a teaching performance assessment, if they were unable to complete the requirement due to COVID-19 school and testing center closures. The relief for prospective […]
Protecting students’ online privacy: Special considerations during distance learning
With school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic having led to the widescale implementation of distance learning, local educational agencies must be vigilant in protecting the privacy of student data that may be gathered electronically. While districts and county offices of education have always had […]
CSBA, Education Coalition caution that schools cannot safely reopen with current funding
CSBA joined administrators, business officials, educators, classified personnel and parents on Thursday as the Education Coalition urged California’s lawmakers to adopt a 2020–21 budget that provides sufficient funding to safely reopen schools this fall. Among other severe cuts, the May Revision slashes 10 percent from […]
A Conversation With: Debbie Raucher
John Burton Advocates for Youth, named for the former member of the California State Assembly and President Pro Tem of the State Senate, works to improve the quality of life for California’s foster, former foster and homeless youth through three areas: housing, health and education. […]
State guidance on reopening schools nearing; funding remains key issue
The California Department of Education offered several insights into the development of its guidance for safely reopening schools during a May 21 webinar, with the department planning to release the document in the “days to weeks to come.” At the meeting’s outset, State Superintendent of […]
President’s Message: Building a bridge across the digital divide
In this space last month, I commended the tireless work of trustees, administrators, teachers, classified staff and others for truly rising to the challenge and finding creative ways to teach and serve students on a massive scale and in relatively short order. And while much […]
COVID-19 webinar explores legal, policy and instructional aspects of special education
Of all the challenges faced by local educational agencies during the COVID-19 crisis, questions around providing services and learning opportunities to students with disabilities have been at the top of the list. Absent waivers to requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools have […]