California Supreme Court finds some district employees eligible for unemployment benefits during summer term

On Jan. 16, 2020, the California Supreme Court reversed a court of appeal decision and held that section 1253.3 of the Unemployment Insurance Code (section 1253.3) does not bar public school employees from collecting unemployment benefits if the summer session constitutes an “academic term.” The […]

Study finds foster youth face significant barriers in transitions to college

California students in the foster care system face more significant barriers during their transition from high school to college than their peers and require tailored supports to overcome them, according to a recent study from the Educational Results Partnership and California College Pathways. Authors of […]

Grassroots group helps build momentum in diversifying tech industry

Each February, African American History Month marks a time for celebrating the achievements of African Americans and recognizing their central role in U.S. history. This month, the CSBA blog will highlight innovative programs that aim to boost African American student achievement. The College Board reported […]

Governance brief focuses on the need for boards to support equity-based decisions

The new year presents a good opportunity for governing boards to reflect on recent achievements as well as unfinished work that districts and county offices of education have ahead of them to ensure that all students have access to an education that prepares them for […]

Lessons learned from rural counties working to improve STEM instruction

Rural school districts in California have struggled more to effectively support the implementation of math and science standards than their urban and suburban counterparts, but a recent report from WestEd finds rural counties are overcoming many of the unique obstacles they face. The report, “Rural […]

New study finds GPAs are better predictors for college graduation than ACT scores

Students’ high school grades are five times better at predicting college graduation rates than their ACT scores — regardless of where they attend school, according to a new study published in Educational Researcher, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Educational Research Association. This conclusion upends […]