Aiming to address a persistent achievement gap experienced by Black students and other student groups, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education adopted the Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) in February 2021. The initiative provides additional funding to identified schools to provide social-emotional […]
Summer planning starts now: Create your summer game plan
By The Partnership for Children & Youth Have you started planning for your summer learning program yet? Summer learning programs are more important than ever as students, schools and communities are still recovering from the negative impacts of school closures and pandemic trauma on students’ […]
California’s school finance spending is a mixed bag, researchers find
Hundreds of billions of dollars are distributed annually to more than 13,000 school districts across the country. But do states’ school finance systems, which are largely in charge of K-12 funding, provide adequate and equitable monetary resources? Rutgers University, the University of Miami and the […]
U.S. student-to-school counselor ratio improves but still misses recommended rate
The student-to-school counselor ratio improved 5.6 percent nationally between 2021–22 and 2022–23, but there is still work to be done to reach the recommended rate of 250:1, according to data released by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) in February. In 2022–23, the student-to-counselor ratio […]
New survey emphasizes need to retain Black educators
As local educational agencies seek to diversify their teaching staff, a new survey shows recruitment isn’t enough — steps must also be taken to retain these educators. In its first annual survey, the Black Educator Advocates Network found that while nearly half of Black educators […]
Lawmakers increasingly target cybersecurity threats in schools, report shows
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) unveiled its 2023 report on K-12 cybersecurity policy developments on Jan. 18, detailing the boom in state and federal education cybersecurity bills and laws that emerged last year. The comprehensive resource highlights notable policy ideas and trends, and offers […]
Appeals court backs student in case challenging appropriate IEP
On Feb. 15, 2024, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision in Los Angeles Unified School District v. A.O., a case that involves a 3-year-old deaf and hard of hearing student with cochlear implants, who sought special education services from the […]
Experts highlight the role of schools in identifying human trafficking
What should you do when you suspect a child is being trafficked? A Jan. 31 webinar hosted by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments sought to answer that question and provide educators with resources and guidance in navigating this sensitive topic. Throughout the […]
Department of Finance releases proposed 2024–25 Prop 98 budget trailer bill language
The Department of Finance (DOF) released anticipated trailer bill language on Feb. 15 outlining Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January Proposition 98 proposal. The proposal provides greater detail on the nuances of the mechanisms the administration intends to employ relating to the minimum funding guarantee as prescribed […]
LAO gives special budget presentation to CSBA Superintendent Council
A special presentation on the 2024–25 state budget from the Legislative Analyst’s Office highlighted the Feb. 15 meeting of CSBA’s Superintendents Council. The convening also featured analysis of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) updates and reporting requirements, revenue options to support increased […]