The California Department of Education on Monday, June 8, released a 55-page document to guide local educational agencies in their planning and discussions on physically reopening schools. “What we’ve done is compiled, as best as we can, a ‘how to’ to how we can safely […]
State releases health and safety guidance for schools; funding needed for implementation
The California Department of Public Health on Friday, June 5, unveiled the administration’s health and safety guidelines and considerations as schools prepare to resume in-person instruction. Among the recommendations are that all staff and students be screened before entering school facilities and that staff use […]
School meals: More important this summer than ever
By Christina Hecht and Jennifer McNeil Unemployment hits California hard The California Employment Development Department estimates that unemployment reached nearly 25 percent by mid-May 2020. In the eight-week period between March 14 and May 14, the EDD processed 4.7 million unemployment benefit claims — nearly […]
Legislature agrees on budget that rejects K–12 education cuts, counts on federal aid
The Legislature on Wednesday unveiled a 2020–21 budget proposal that prioritizes education and rejects the $8.1 billion in cuts to Proposition 98 funding called for in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May Revision proposal, including the 10 percent reduction to the Local Control Funding Formula. The Senate […]
CCEE webinar offers distance learning needs, strategies for small districts
Weighing the digital divide and its particular challenges in rural areas lacking needed infrastructure, experts say a blend of analog and digital learning opportunities is one practical solution to engage students as the school year ends and summer offerings begin. Also strongly encouraged during a […]
Executive order temporarily suspends exam requirements for teacher candidates
Individuals enrolled in teacher preparation programs during the 2019–20 school year will be allowed to obtain their California preliminary credential without a teaching performance assessment, if they were unable to complete the requirement due to COVID-19 school and testing center closures. The relief for prospective […]
Protecting students’ online privacy: Special considerations during distance learning
With school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic having led to the widescale implementation of distance learning, local educational agencies must be vigilant in protecting the privacy of student data that may be gathered electronically. While districts and county offices of education have always had […]
CSBA, Education Coalition caution that schools cannot safely reopen with current funding
CSBA joined administrators, business officials, educators, classified personnel and parents on Thursday as the Education Coalition urged California’s lawmakers to adopt a 2020–21 budget that provides sufficient funding to safely reopen schools this fall. Among other severe cuts, the May Revision slashes 10 percent from […]
National guidance provides considerations to jumpstart high school athletics
When student athletes return to campus in the fall, neither classrooms nor extracurricular activities will look the same. Under new guidance from the National Federation of State High School Associations, social distancing must be taken into account, and high-contact sports may not return for some […]
A Conversation With: Debbie Raucher
John Burton Advocates for Youth, named for the former member of the California State Assembly and President Pro Tem of the State Senate, works to improve the quality of life for California’s foster, former foster and homeless youth through three areas: housing, health and education. […]