California debuts free literacy platform focused on young learners

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond on Aug. 31 announced the California Bilingual Early Literacy Initiative, a $27 million digital literacy partnership that will provide free bilingual early literacy assistance to California children and families through interactive eBooks, songs and games in English and […]

How equity walks can be leveraged by boards to further success for all students

By Nicole Anderson As governance teams lead for equity through continuous improvement to close equity gaps, it is critical they become data savvy through a process of embracing and monitoring both quantitative (test scores, grades, etc.) and qualitative (equity walks, surveys, etc.) data to inform, […]

Help support your district’s long-term substitute teachers with new toolkit

Districts across California are reporting many start-of-year vacancies and will be relying on long-term substitutes and reassigned coaches, specialists and central office staff to start the school year. Start-of-year vacancies bring unique challenges for everyone, and long-term subs often don’t get the information and support they […]

CSBA’s Leadership Institute focuses on governing in turbulent times

Preparedness and the ability to lead through challenges was a major theme among keynote and breakout sessions at CSBA’s 2022 Leadership Institute. Local educational agency leaders from across the state converged in Los Angeles July 22–23 to connect on topics including mental health, crisis communications, […]

Registration open for the California Student Mock Election

As California emerges from the primary election and prepares for the general election in November, Secretary of State Shirley Weber and the California Department of Education are encouraging schools to get students involved and excited about civic engagement through partnering to host a 2022 California […]

Teacher Residency Program hitting goals; needs long-term financial support

The 2018–19 state budget included one-time funding of $75 million for the Teacher Residency Program intended to address teacher shortages, especially in the areas of special education and STEM, and for teachers who are bilingual. This program pairs local educational agencies with institutes of higher […]

Creative solutions and state and federal supports needed to solve teacher shortages

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, schools are struggling to fill teaching positions — and not only due to exposure to the virus. A new report by the Learning Policy Institute, Teacher Shortages During the Pandemic: How California Districts Are Responding, shares the results of […]

Expand computer science access in your district with support from Microsoft

Computer Science Education Week provides an opportunity to recognize school leaders on the front lines of expanding access to computer science education and to identify where computer science courses are needed in every district. Limited access to digital skills threatens to widen the income gap […]

New screening tool from the California Dyslexia Initiative in development

In recent years, California has made progress in providing resources and support for students with dyslexia, a language-based learning disability that most often affects an individual’s ability to read fluently. In 2015, Assembly Bill 1369 directed the California Department of Education to develop the state […]

Addressing the whole child encourages student engagement

A new survey and report released by education technology company GoGuardian aims to measure the most effective ways of engaging students in their learning by surveying more than 2,500 educators from all 50 states and 40 additional countries. The “2021–2022 State of Engagement Report” aims […]