School Boards in Action: 5 Questions with Dieema A. Wheaton, El Segundo USD

Dieema A. Wheaton, board president, El Segundo Unified School District in Los Angeles County What are some promising practices taking place in your district? El Segundo USD is committed to the overall well-being and mental health of our students. We offer a variety of programs […]

Preschool enrollment starts to rebound post-pandemic

Comparing the 2021–22 school year with pre-pandemic data, The National Institute for Early Education Research’s (NIEER) report The State of Preschool 2022 provides information by state on preschool enrollment, funding and policies, and outlines next steps for improvement. Enrollment was down 8 percent from pre-pandemic […]

Teacher morale is improving, but more can be done to address mental health needs

Following a significant decline as a result of the pandemic, teacher morale appears to be improving, according to the second annual Merrimack College Teacher Survey, commissioned by the school’s Winston School of Education and Social Policy. However, results also suggest there is more work to […]

Inclusion through athletics brings students together in Murrieta Valley USD

Decades of research has linked strong inclusionary practices to higher test scores and grade point averages, stronger math and literacy skills, and more developed communication and social skills among students with disabilities. Long-term benefits include an increased likelihood of enrolling in college and graduating, finding […]

Child abuse prevention is a critical year-round effort

CSBA business affiliate Keenan Associates ReLIEF (Regional Liability Excess Fund) provided three districts an educational grant during Child Abuse Prevention Month in support of programming fostering a safe environment for children. Keenan, an industry-leading California insurance brokerage and consulting firm for health care organizations and […]

Superior Court rules State Board of Education abused its authority in overturning local charter denials

In January 2023, CSBA’s Education Legal Alliance (ELA) filed writ of mandate seeking to invalidate the State Board of Education’s (SBE) decision to grant the appeal of the petition for Mayacamas Charter School, which overturned the decisions by both the Napa Valley Unified School District […]

Safe and supportive school climates can save the lives of LGBTQ youth

The research is clear — much of the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth are in trouble, struggling with suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem and a lack of social-emotional support. According to The Trevor Project, suicide is the second leading cause of […]