6 federal agencies collaborate on new school safety guide

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama proposed a range of initiatives to address gun violence and school safety in response to the school shootings in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Last week, the Administration did release its “Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans,” which provides guidance to school districts and states on everything from school design to planning emergency drills to balancing privacy and student safety.

Summer learning matters, educators and business partners agree

Busloads of students from around the state joined state education, business and legislative leaders at the state Capitol June 20 for the kickoff of the Summer Matters campaign to boost summer learning. “We’re gonna rock with summer learning this year,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson told the crowd of students assembled in front of the North steps of the Capitol, ready for the fun, literacy-themed activities to take place throughout Capitol Park after the rally.

School interrupted: Designing a partial credit policy that works

Representatives from the Legislature, the California School Boards Association, the California Department of Education, a host of public and private children’s interest groups, county offices of education and school districts gathered at CSBA’s offices in West Sacramento this week to tackle a tough problem: How to standardize the rules for awarding partial credit to students forced by difficult life circumstances to change schools frequently.

First lady calls on school leaders to help children get active

In a nationwide conference call hosted by first lady Michelle Obama and the Let’s Move! Active Schools initiative on March 19, CSBA Immediate Past President Jill Wynns and several school superintendents from across the country shared what they’re doing to encourage quality physical activity and […]

CSBA Superintendents Council talks school safety with Sen. Ted Lieu

by Carol Brydolf, CSBA staff writer Members of CSBA’s Superintendents Advisory Council—meeting at the association’s West Sacramento offices—had the chance to ask questions and raise specific concerns about new school safety legislation during a wide ranging discussion with the bill’s author, Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance. […]

Almost 1 in 4 Californians is poor, per new federal measure

Lest anyone get the impression that California schoolchildren will be fine now that Proposition 30 has passed, a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau provides a startling reality check on the conditions of children here. According to the “supplemental poverty measure” for 2011, which […]