California has closed the digital divide at its K-12 schools, but internet access at home remains a persistent problem, a new report finds. Analysis by the Public Policy Institute of California shows that 90 percent of the state’s schools met the Federal Communication Commission’s minimum […]
Category: Resources
Resources
What districts should know about first run of optional California Spanish Assessment
A new, optional test will be administered for the first time when the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress testing window opens April 1, 2019. The California Spanish Assessment will be offered to third- through eighth-grade and high school students seeking a measure of […]
Blending the systems: ESSA and California’s System of Support
By Tom Armelino, executive director, California Collaborative for Educational Excellence Over the past month, as I met with educators across the state, school district administrators and board members have shared questions and concerns about what is required of them if schools in their districts are […]
Report: Police officers outnumber health staff in schools by wide margin
A new report finds that more than 400,000 K-12 students in California attend a school that has a police officer on site but not a school counselor — reflecting critical gaps in staff essential to student health and well-being. Based on analysis of newly available […]
Lessons shared as spotlight shines on school disaster preparedness and recovery
A thorough chain of command, well-prepared emergency plans, and strong relations with both local and state emergency officials are critical for school districts to have in place before a disaster strikes. And when a disaster does strike, it is paramount to document and keep as […]
Data illustrate need for greater focus on California’s homeless students
In the 2016-17 school year, 4.2 percent of California’s public school students were identified as homeless, according to a new report from Education Leads Home. The state’s homeless student population that year of 262,935 marks a 4.16 percent increase from the 2012-13 school year. Researchers […]
AB 2826 changes to interdistrict transfers: What you need to know
Wide-ranging changes took effect on Jan. 1, 2019, regarding the law governing the procedures for student transfers from one school district to another – known as “interdistrict transfers.” Some of the changes made by Assembly Bill 2826 simply streamline and/or clarify existing requirements, but others […]
Full-day kindergarten facilities applications greatly outpace available funds
School district interest is overwhelming the funds available for projects through the state’s new full-day kindergarten facilities program. Seventy districts filed 261 project applications totaling $324.3 million in the first filing round ending Jan. 31, staff told State Allocation Board members at their Feb. 27 […]
Report: K-12 cybersecurity incidents, risks growing across the country
K-12 local educational agencies nationwide experienced both more frequent and more significant cybersecurity incidents in 2018, according to a new report from The K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center. Data suggests the incidents did not discriminate by district type, location or size. There were 122 publicly reported […]
Dollars for scholars: Awards available for school district programs
With school districts statewide cutting budgets due to rising expenses, funding to pay for public school equipment and programs essential to a well-rounded education can often be in short supply. To help offset some of these expenses, the Scholar Dollars program is awarding more than […]