Category Archives: Education and Training

Education and Training

Tackling concussions: Resources available to help protect student athletes

2 Aug
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As interscholastic sports season kicks off, school boards and districts are encouraged to keep in mind head safety for student athletes. California fields the second highest number of high school athletes  —  roughly 800,000  — among U.S. states. (Texas is first.) These student athletes are also especially vulnerable to head trauma as their brains are still developing. Concussions from knocking heads, tackling, being hit by a ball or an elbow, or other blows can occur in two different ways. A...

New research report shines light on school crime and safety

24 May
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All California students have a right to feel welcomed and be free from emotional and physical harm at their public schools. School safety is one of the most important elements to consider in order to ensure that an environment is conducive to learning. According to Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2016, a newly released research report from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics, the last 20 years have seen a decline...

DeVos has turned attention to public education —  it’s up to school board members to keep it there

23 May
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by Vernon Billy Earlier this year, the confirmation hearings of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education was covered more exhaustively than any other education secretary in recent memory The curiosity surrounding the new education secretary demonstrated the deep interest and concern that Americans have about the policies and issues that can shape our education system. The American public recognizes the need to protect public schools and defend every American student’s fundamental right to a free, high-quality public education. Here...

Resources for Understanding the Experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander Students

17 May
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It does not take much detective work to run into the stereotype that Asian American students are high-achieving. For instance, popular national television shows often reinforce the link between Asian American identity and technically adroit academic excellence: the Indian American engineer, the Korean American doctor or the Chinese American student who belongs to his middle school’s A.V. club. Despite its prevalence in American culture, this “model minority” stereotype does not ring true for all students who identify as Asian American,...

Recognizing world-class teachers today for California Day of the Teacher

10 May
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Today, May 10, is the California Day of the Teacher, an annual celebration that takes place on every second Wednesday of May to applaud the instructors who enrich the lives of California’s 6.2 million public school students. According to the California Department of Education, California’s K-12 public schools are home to almost 300,000 teachers. “Research has shown that teachers are the most essential players in the public school system,” said CSBA President Susan Henry. “On this California Day of the...

California Arts Education Data Project Provides Road Map for Districts

10 Mar
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by Patricia Wayne  All students in California deserve to have access to high quality arts education that will provide them with important skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive workforce. But up until now, we lacked the tools to show us where (and how) arts education is offered across the state. Create CA, in partnership with the California Department of Education and the Arts Education Data Project, have launched a first-of-its-kind suite of tools designed to help increase participation in...

A Conversation With CSBA President Susan Henry on education leadership & challenges in 2017

13 Jan
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California Schools magazine talks with CSBA President Susan Henry about her background and what led her to become engaged with public education. A registered nurse and an artist that went back to college at age 50, her life has centered on education, her family and community. The commitment and leadership she has shown for all of her endeavors is apparent in highlights from her interview. California Schools is excited for the upcoming year ahead with Henry at the helm, meeting...

Edward James Olmos discusses a life of advocacy

29 Nov
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Born in East Los Angeles, Edward James Olmos has enjoyed a distinguished career as an artist and as an activist. Olmos initially gained notice as a rock musician in Los Angeles. He then transitioned to a career on the stage and on screen. He earned an Academy Award nomination for best actor for his portrayal of math teacher Jaime Escalante in the movie, “Stand and Deliver.” Olmos also directed the movie, “Walkout,” about Latino students protesting poor conditions in public...

Californians believe schools need more funding — will they vote that way?

4 Nov
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by Vernon M. Billy This November’s election will be unlike any we’ve seen in recent memory. Our Presidential election cycle has been, shall we say, “unique.” While California’s upcoming election isn’t nearly as interesting, we do have a whopping 17 statewide ballot measures that voters must sift through on election day. This election has huge implications for our state’s schools, but the sheer size of the ballot presents an obstacle for California voters — so much so, that existing voter support for...

Changing the Story of Summer

16 Sep
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by Michael Funk Which sounds more appealing to you for a summer activity: sitting in a stuffy school classroom doing remedial work, or hopping on a bus with your friends to go chase minnows in a nearby river? The traditional paradigm for summer learning has been the former, and it’s felt like a punishment. At the California Department of Education, we’re working to change that paradigm and write a new narrative about a summer that is as engaging as it...