Community building is necessary to establishing healthy school cultures

Creating school cultures that support young people and minimize violence and bullying requires ongoing work — a topic explored by experts in a Feb. 14 webinar hosted by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools, […]

U.S. student-to-school counselor ratio improves but still misses recommended rate

The student-to-school counselor ratio improved 5.6 percent nationally between 2021–22 and 2022–23, but there is still work to be done to reach the recommended rate of 250:1, according to data released by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) in February. In 2022–23, the student-to-counselor ratio […]

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 […]

Webinar details how addressing school climate can reduce chronic absence rates

As schools across the country continue to deal with high rates of chronic absenteeism, the U.S. Department of Education hosted a webinar on Dec. 13 exploring the connection between chronic absenteeism and school climate. Discussion covered common reasons why students disengage from school, as well […]

Implementing MTSS to improve graduation rates for English learners

Overall graduation rates for English learners (ELs) have increased in recent years, but they are still less likely to reach the academic milestone than their native English-speaking peers, according to the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools’ new brief, “The State of High School […]

Strategies to leverage MTSS in support of English learners

Recommendations for districts on ways to support English learners (ELs) most effectively are included in a recently released brief from the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. “Leveraging CA MTSS to Support English Learner-Classified Students: Insights from Three CA Districts” covers findings from a […]

CSBA brief examines bullying and cyberbullying: Resource for National Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month and local educational agencies should consider how they can foster positive, safe and inclusive school environments in order to prevent bullying and boost student success.  CSBA’s Research and Education Policy Development (REPD) Department has published a governance brief, “School […]

Communication can help students get off to a strong start with attendance

With chronic absenteeism rates in California still hovering at about double where they were prior to the pandemic (22 percent compared to about 10 percent), communicating to families the importance of getting children to school is more important than ever. To aid local educational agencies […]