Researchers provide recommendations to harness the benefits of gentrification, mitigate the challenges

Gentrification is controversial and often associated with the displacement of low-income residents of color, cultural shifts in a neighborhood and other negative outcomes, but it can also bring new resources into communities that have experienced historic disinvestment, offering greater access to well-resourced public amenities such […]

Using chronic absence data to create change

The new brief “Seize the Data: Using Chronic Absence Data to Drive Student Engagement,” a joint publication of CSBA and Attendance Works released in March, provides an overview of chronic absenteeism in California and information on the student groups it impacts most as well as questions that board members can consider when assessing the issue, ways to address it and related resources. 

Universal school meal policies lead to higher participation rates, more challenges

Providing school meals to all students at no charge increased lunch participation in the five states that offer universal school meals, and raised breakfast participation rates in four of those during the 2022–2023 school year, according to a report released in February by the Food […]

Policies restricting teaching of controversial topics impact educators in states without such policies

Results of the RAND Corporation’s 2023 State of the American Teacher survey released Feb. 15 showed that nationally, 65 percent of teachers report limiting discussions about political and social issues in class — nearly double the share of teachers who are located in states that […]

New look at federal attendance data shows need for increased state support

Every state is experiencing a significant increase in high and extreme levels of chronic absenteeism across schools and districts, according to a nationwide analysis of 2021–22 federal data released Jan. 31 by Attendance Works and Johns Hopkins’ Everyone Graduates Center. About two-thirds of students attended […]

Study outlines ways states can strengthen connection between agencies supporting young children

As state and federal leaders continue to push for expanded early learning opportunities, a new report details how state Medicaid agencies can partner with Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) agencies to improve the health of pregnant and postpartum people, infants […]

Most high school graduates attend community colleges, PPIC finds

More than half of graduating high school students in California continue their academic careers at community colleges, making the ability to transfer between higher education institutions critical to attaining a four-year degree, according to the fact sheet “California’s Higher Education System,” released by the Public […]

How the state, districts can prepare for K-12 enrollment declines

With enrollment declines taking place in almost three-quarters of California school districts in the last five years and the trend expected to continue in the next decade, a report and corresponding brief published by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) in December explore factors […]

What LEAs can do to support foster youth and prepare them for the future

A new report details the significant overhaul needed across sectors to better support and prepare those exiting the foster care system as they transition into adulthood — and schools can play an important role in reinforcing this work. Released Jan. 24 by the Institute for […]