Education leaders should spend the first few weeks of the fall semester encouraging attachments in their respective communities, according to California State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. During an Aug. 10 conversation with Public Policy Institute of California President Mark Baldassare on the start […]
Federal government supporting youth vaccination efforts
As K-12 campuses across the nation begin to welcome students back, some for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, the Biden administration on Aug. 5 announced four new efforts it is taking to vaccinate more eligible young people and keep school communities […]
Gov. Newsom announces vaccination and testing mandate for TK-12 schools
On Wednesday, Aug. 11, California became the first state to require a COVID-19 vaccination or regular testing for school staff when Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a new public health order during a press conference at Oakland USD’s Carl B. Munck Elementary School. The mandate requires […]
National FAFSA completion rates decline for second year
A July report by the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) warned of a steep drop in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion in 2020 and 2021. Students must complete the FAFSA to access federal grants and loans, as well as many types of […]
Guidance on CDPH vaccination order
As noted in CSBA’s Aug. 11 e-blast, the California Department of Public Health issued a public officer health order entitled “Vaccine Verification for Workers in Schools.” Noting that California is committed to safe, full, in-person learning for all students, the Aug. 11 order adds another […]
ACT streamlines process for acquiring testing accommodations
Beginning with the 2021–22 school year, students who receive accommodations at their school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act will automatically be eligible to receive the allowable testing accommodations when they register for the ACT with accommodations, […]
CDE hosts independent study webinars for LEAs
Two recent webinars hosted by the California Department of Education covered changes to independent study in adherence to Assembly Bill 130. A July 29 presentation by CDE Education Programs Consultant Elvia Gonzalez focused on requirements for the 2021–22 academic year and how new rules can […]
How to use American Rescue Plan funds to improve school ventilation
On July 23, the U.S. Department of Education released a resource guide, “Improving Ventilation in Schools, Colleges, and Universities to Prevent COVID-19.” With local educational agencies across the country preparing for a full return to in-person instruction for the 2021–22 school year, the document details […]
Keep classrooms open with free COVID testing program
The California Department of Public Health, through a partnership with Concentric by Ginkgo Bioworks, is providing a free, fully staffed COVID-19 pooled testing program to all K-12 public schools in the state. With the delta variant causing case numbers to rise, this tool to safeguard staff and students as they return to full, in-person […]
Teacher credentialing commission talks reading instruction, legislation and early learning
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing met Aug. 5–6 to discuss key items related to new Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) subtests, legislation and early learning. Noting the absence of CTC Chair Tine Sloane as a result of fire evacuation orders, the commission Executive Director […]