Fast facts on the state of California’s digital divide

Digital access has reached an all-time high in the state, according to the Public Policy Institute of California’s (PPIC) April fact sheet on the digital divide. Offering an updated look at the rate and makeup of residents able to connect to the internet at home, PPIC found that 95 percent of Californian’s had internet access, including satellite in 2022 compared to 93 percent in 2019. Access increased most significantly among those in historically marginalized communities including members of Black, Latino, low-income and rural households and those headed by non-college graduates.

President’s message: Supporting California’s students on the Coast2Coast Federal Advocacy Trip

There’s no place like home and as a California native and lifelong resident, I firmly believe the West Coast is the best coast. However, there’s no denying the political center of gravity in the United States rests in the East, specifically in Washington, D.C. So, I was happy to once again participate in the ACSA-CSBA Coast2Coast Federal Advocacy Trip where I joined about 250 other education leaders in making the case for the legislation and resources California students need.

LEAs play an important role in preventing child trafficking and exploitation

As policymakers work to prevent child exploitation, how can schools play a role in identifying and helping vulnerable students in need of support? There are no perfect answers, according to experts, but there are myriad strategies, tips and tools educators can use — many of […]

Commission on Teacher Credentialing reviews teacher supply in California

During the April 18-19 meeting of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, commissioners were presented with two key annual reports related to the teacher supply in California and received an update on the work staff is undertaking in the early childhood education field. In addition, […]

New PACE resources cover the benefits of dual enrollment, students’ college preparedness

Almost 63 percent of California high school seniors felt prepared to begin college and two-thirds were satisfied with the advising they received regarding higher education, Policy Analysis for California Education’s (PACE) brief “The Transition to College: Voices From the Class of 2023,” released in March.

Most teachers report limitations on race- or gender-related topics negatively affect students

In April 2021, Idaho became the first state to pass a law restricting how teachers can talk about race- or gender-related issues in public schools. One year later, a total of 18 states enacted similar policies through state legislatures, state boards of education, state attorneys […]

San Diego COE takes a leading role in meeting the needs of homeless youth

County offices of education play a vital role in supporting the education and well-being of the estimated 187,298 homeless students across California.  San Diego COE — one of the state’s three lead Homeless Education Technical Assistance Centers (HE TACs) — has made significant strides in […]

Common themes emerge among states’ guidance on AI in education

Digital Promise reviewed guidance documents from seven states, including California, on how to approach artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Guidance from these states — which also include North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia — “vary considerably and yet all respond to a […]