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 […]
Category: Coronavirus
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 […]
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 […]
National guidance provides considerations to jumpstart high school athletics
When student athletes return to campus in the fall, neither classrooms nor extracurricular activities will look the same. Under new guidance from the National Federation of State High School Associations, social distancing must be taken into account, and high-contact sports may not return for some […]
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 […]
LEAs should prepare now to address mental health when schools return
California’s district and county office of education officials are looking toward the 2020–21 school year with serious concern over how to provide a safe learning environment for students and staff, as well as the myriad academic and mental supports that will be necessary to move […]
School nutrition programs more necessary than ever
Short of any official playbook dictating how to provide healthy school meals to children during a pandemic, districts throughout California have scrambled to feed students — in many instances, more than ever — and implement meal delivery systems that allow for social distancing during extended […]
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 […]