Latino Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusive education

California has more than 15 million Hispanic and Latino residents, or just under 40 percent of its population — by far the largest population of any U.S. state. Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized nationwide from Sept. 15–Oct. 15 as a time to honor the cultures […]

CDC releases new school guidance for reopening decisions; reverts asymptomatic testing guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance on Sept. 15 to aid local educational agencies in school reopening decisions. Though the guidance comes well after the start of the school year for many LEAs, it provides suggested reopening criteria for states that […]

CCBE virtual conference features inspiring sessions and informative speakers

The California County Boards of Education held its first virtual annual conference Sept. 11–12. The format allowed some sessions to be prerecorded and available at any time, an advantage for those with busy schedules. Individual session topics included strategies for managing alternative school programs, such […]

Raging wildfires, smoky skies the latest obstacles for schools in 2020

The barrage of deadly wildfires burning up and down the state of California — and corresponding surreal skies and extremely unhealthy air — have destroyed schools and communities; displaced students, staff and their families; and interrupted long-planned-for returns to in-person instruction in many areas, a […]

State Board: Leaders address immensely challenging times; criteria approved for Seal of Civic Engagement

State education leaders opened Thursday, Sept. 10’s State Board of Education meeting by pledging their support for K–12 schools and communities across the state and recognizing the heroic work of local educational agencies in a monumentally challenging school year. While the scramble continues to close […]

CDE webinar offers insights into new guidance, fields key COVID questions

A Sept. 9 California Department of Education webinar drawing 1,300 attendees provided local educational agencies with clarity on updated guidance for in-person, small group instruction, as well as a deeper dive into the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and its impacts on K–12 schools. Officials […]

Appellate Court rules Santa Monica’s at-large election method did not violate the CVRA

On July 9, 2020, a California Court of Appeal ruled that the City of Santa Monica’s use of an at-large election method did not violate the California Voting Rights Act in Pico Neighborhood Association v. City of Santa Monica. This is the first time a […]