Law allowing remote teleconferenced meetings through 2026 signed by Governor

On Sept. 13, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2449 (Rubio, D-Baldwin Park), which provides additional options for compliant teleconferencing under the Brown Act beyond those provided in current law. AB 2449 provides a teleconferencing option that will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2023, […]

New state policy requires high school seniors to apply for FAFSA

By The California Student Aid Commission In California’s 2021–22 state budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature included a groundbreaking new policy that local educational agencies, including charter schools, must confirm that their graduating high school seniors complete an application for financial aid (or an […]

CCEE microlearning modules offer support classroom management and instruction

The California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) met on Sept. 29 to receive updates on a number of topics, including direct technical assistance efforts, universal preK implementation initiatives and microlearning modules for individuals providing instruction for students. Microlearning modules, brief videos led by “master teachers” […]

Report details how one county’s juvenile justice program effectively engages students

Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Road to Success Academies (RTSA), a comprehensive educational model for juvenile court schools that serve young people detained for extended periods of time, is successfully reigniting student engagement, according to a new study. Centering Care and Engagement: Understanding Implementation […]

Monrovia USD celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month through arts in the community

By Martiza Flores-Travanti The Monrovia Latino Heritage Society (MLHS), in collaboration with Monrovia Unified School District (MUSD), exhibited an art show, Monrovia’s Past and Future Legacy, featuring Hispanic heritage-themed artwork from fourth- and fifth-grade students from all five elementary schools. With over 60 percent of […]

New assessment analysis finds mixed results in student progress after pandemic learning disruptions

While younger students are falling behind in foundational reading skills, older elementary and middle school student reading progress is on par with progress prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In math, however, student achievement in all grades is still below pre-pandemic levels, according to new research […]

School Boards in Action: San Marcos USD launches Portrait of a Graduate vision

Leadership, adaptability, communication, critical thinking and empathy. Those are the five skills San Marcos Unified School District is looking to instill in high school seniors by the time they receive their diplomas as part of its Portrait of a Graduate vision. The vision came to […]

District leaders want deadline extension to spend federal COVID funds

Without an extension to the deadline by which districts must spend American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, officials say they will have to scale back pandemic investments while students are still in desperate need of additional academic and social-emotional supports. A majority of school superintendents surveyed […]

School leaders share the inside scoop on COVID-19 relief aid in new report

The state and federal government have provided local educational agencies in California with historic sums of funding to help address the most critical challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This money continues to be essential for school districts and county offices of education to address health […]