On March 30, the California Department of Education issued a letter on the release of $100 million in funds for local educational agencies to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is pursuant to Senate Bill 117, which the Legislature passed on March 16 before adjourning […]
Boards may meet without a physical meeting space for the public, and may receive updates on COVID-19 from officials
On March 17, 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a second executive order impacting meetings held by school district and county office of education boards. Executive Order N-29-20 superseded paragraph 11 of the March 12, 2020, Executive Order N-25-20, which required local educational agencies to provide […]
FERPA and virtual learning during COVID-19
With the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States, and the social distancing and other safety-related restrictions being implemented to contain it, schools throughout the country have almost universally switched to distance or virtual learning. The switch has raised countless questions for parents and school […]
Districts receive flexibility in providing schools meals to hungry students
Several waivers aimed at helping ease school meal distribution requirements were announced by United States Department of Agriculture officials on March 26 in an effort to ensure all children eligible for federal nutrition programs have access to meals they would normally receive in school despite […]
President’s Message: Help make sure that every student is counted
By CSBA President Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez As school board members and education leaders, we all agree that every student counts. That mantra will be put to the test this month as invitations to complete the 2020 U.S. Census begin arriving in mailboxes. While U.S. Census Bureau […]
Coronavirus update: Stimulus set to deliver $13.5B in emergency funding for K-12 schools; a look at CalPERS and CalSTRS impacts
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday night unanimously passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill to aid the country amidst the massive economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of note, the stimulus will deliver $16.5 billion in emergency funding for K-12 education, with $13.5 billion via formula […]
Serving students with disabilities during school closures: Updated federal guidance
California schools are taking extraordinary measures to continue to provide high-quality educational opportunities to all students while school sites are physically closed. According to the California Department of Education’s Special Education Guidance for COVID-19, at this time, the federal government has not waived the requirements […]
Coronavirus, school closures bring major changes for testing season
Tests used for K-12 accountability, advanced course credit and college admissions are the latest segment of education to experience major repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting school closures. Standardized assessments will likely be cancelled in most states this school year, high schoolers will take […]
Study finds schools increasingly rely on and benefit from anonymous school safety tip lines
More than half of U.S. public middle and high schools operate a tip line aimed at increasing student safety, and more than three in four principals reported that tip lines made them more aware of overall safety issues at their schools, according to recent survey […]
Resource suite for schools and families during COVID-19 closures
Student health and well-being Suggestions for educators on addressing the social and emotional needs of students from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Materials for schools and districts to support for their students and community around COVID-19 and pandemics from the National Association of School […]