COVID-19 webinar explores legal, policy and instructional aspects of special education

Of all the challenges faced by local educational agencies during the COVID-19 crisis, questions around providing services and learning opportunities to students with disabilities have been at the top of the list. Absent waivers to requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools have […]

May Revision cuts LCFF, drops COLA, introduces proposals in effort to mitigate impact

Reflecting California’s pandemic-induced $54 billion budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom presented his May Revision on May 14 featuring a blend of proposals aimed at mitigating the dire financial straits of the state’s K–12 schools. “Coupled with a 10 percent cut to LCFF — the primary […]

Fauci says ensuring student and staff safety before reopening schools is a ‘moral imperative’

Questioned about what it will take to safely reopen businesses and schools to jump-start the American economy, Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, warned on May 12 that “consequences could be really serious” if states move too quickly to return to business […]

Webinar highlights CSBA’s efforts on digital divide, shares district perspectives

With school districts and county offices of education now well into widespread distance learning across California — and acknowledging that at least some form of it will continue next school year — CSBA’s latest COVID-19 webinar explored how the association is playing a role in […]

State Board Report: May virtual meeting focuses on new realities, future projects and plans amid COVID-19

At its first meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed the shape of California’s public school system, the State Board of Education on May 7 virtually addressed how the crisis will shift its own policy work, priorities and timelines. Much of the discussion focused on […]

Teaching credential, preparation program enrollment numbers continue climbing

Continuing a multi-year pattern, California saw a 3.1 percent increase in teaching credentials issued in fiscal year 2018–19, however, the state also witnessed a slight decrease in the number of fully credentialed teachers serving in its public schools. And for a state still grappling with […]

Webinar provides tips on combining funding sources to equitably mitigate learning loss

With funding already stretched thin and districts and county offices of education responsible for ensuring student learning and services continue during school closures — and now, planning how to address learning loss — administrators may be especially concerned with how to provide additional support to […]