On Nov. 21, the U.S. Department of Education published the 2025–26 FAFSA form for those seeking financial aid for college or career school.
Financial aid application resources for California high schools
Advocates express concern over pesticide levels in air surrounding schools in agriculture communities
On Oct. 14, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released its annual Air Monitoring Report declaring that no air samples taken at monitoring sites — all located on or near a school site — in 2023 detected pesticides at or above health-protective screening levels […]
Early childhood data needed to improve services, access and outcomes
Participation in high-quality early care and education programs is crucial in setting children up for success in K-12 and beyond. But challenges including families receiving limited information about services; service providers being overburdened by data submission requirements; and policymakers knowing little about these services and […]
Study finds mixed results from banning suspensions in early grades
A new working paper published by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University examines the statewide ban Maryland placed on exclusionary discipline practices for K-2 students, and notes the implications the findings have for the many state and local bans implemented across the country. While the […]
Strategies to improve attendance among American Indian/Native Alaskan students
An increasing number of American Indian/Native Alaskan (AI/NA) students were considered chronically absent since the pandemic, 47 percent in the 2021–22 academic year compared to 30 percent in 2017–18. WestEd’s recent brief, “Missing More Than School: Reducing Chronic Absence for American Indian and Alaska Native Students,” explores the issue and offer strategies for improvement.
CSBA webinar breaks down the basics of behavioral threat assessment
Creating a sense of trust within an education setting so community members feel comfortable reporting concerning behaviors is a key component to stopping potential incidents and keeping campuses safe, according to panelists at CSBA’s Nov. 21 webinar, “Spotting the Signals: Understanding behavioral threat assessment.”
Modest progress on School Dashboard continues trend of sluggish growth
The California Department of Education (CDE) unveiled the latest edition of the California School Dashboard on Nov. 21, touting “continued progress in academic achievement and graduation rates” and a “decline in chronic absenteeism.” While some growth was evident, a look at the underlying data reveals a more complicated picture of student performance — one that demands greater scrutiny of the status quo, increased investment in public schools, and wider replication of local strategies that have accelerated student achievement and well-being.
Commission makes selections for new math instructional materials reviewers
At its last meeting of 2024, the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) on Nov. 20 considered applications for instructional materials reviewers (IMRs) and content review experts (CREs) for the 2025 Mathematics Instructional Materials Adoption and voted on the list of individuals it is recommending to the State Board of Education (SBE).
LAO releases much-anticipated state budget revenue projections for 2025–26
Slightly higher state revenues driven by continued stock market growth means the LAO’s assessment offers a brighter picture than last year’s dismal forecast, but storm clouds remain on the horizon due to weakness in the overall state economy, the unpredictability of future tax revenues, and fiscal pressures that are problematic for local educational agencies.
Expert panel details strategies to help LEAs support undocumented students
Californians Together hosted a Nov. 7 webinar featuring lawyers and school practitioners discussing undocumented youth, partnership models for local educational agencies and legal service providers, and what’s next for federal and state policy. “In supporting our immigrant students and communities, we are facing extraordinary uncertainty […]