Founding members of the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative discussed how outside spaces can be used for safe instruction and benefit students as they return to campuses during a two-part webinar series on April 15 and 28 sponsored by the California Department of Education. At […]
States tackle student mental health needs through common policies
Mental health challenges among students have been deeply exacerbated by the pandemic, and many state and local policymakers have acknowledged a need to implement strong mental health services to better support children. Thus far in 2021, more than 200 bills in state legislatures that address […]
Legislative update: Final budget negotiations begin
The Assembly and Senate on June 1 announced a budget deal and will now begin final negotiations with Gov. Gavin Newsom to work out the main differences between the proposed May Revision and the Legislature’s revisions. The Legislature’s proposal has some good news for schools, […]
After CSBA lawsuits, State includes a rebenching of the Proposition 98 guarantee in May Revision
As CSBA detailed recently in its summary of the May Revision of the Governor’s budget, the plan proposes to expand transitional kindergarten to provide a minimum of three hours of instructional time for all 4-year-olds in the state, beginning with an investment of $900 million […]
What will governing board meetings look like after the pandemic?
In March 2020, as many schools were forced to close and begin distance learning in response to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed executive orders suspending portions of the Brown Act (Government Code 54953) to permit governing boards of school districts and county […]
Student participation key component of Butte County virtual forum on student mental health
On April 22, more than 700 attendees from around Butte County participated in a virtual forum on youth mental health called “End the Silence.” Organized by a coalition of community organizations in partnership with the Butte County Office of Education, the free event was open […]
Combating anti-Asian hate through board action
Historically, Asian Pacific American Heritage month has been met with lesson plans highlighting the accomplishments of AAPI individuals, preparing dishes from different AAPI cultures or reading books and viewing art showcasing the experience or talents of different people of AAPI descent, past and present. This […]
In memory of former CSBA President Suzanne Kitchens
It is with the deepest sadness that CSBA shares news of the death of former 2021 President Suzanne Kitchens. Suzanne passed quietly with her family on Sunday, May 23, just two weeks after she resigned her post as CSBA President due to health issues. It […]
How California schools can support the vaccination effort
Schools can play a critical role in vaccinating youth and families. Early insights indicate that pediatricians and care providers are the strongest trusted messengers, access and convenience to vaccines matter greatly, and that comfortable locations like a doctor’s office, school or neighborhood pharmacy are preferred […]
Education bills that advanced from the suspense file
On May 20, the Appropriations committees in each house of the Legislature considered its “suspense file,” bills with a price tag of over $150,000 that are set aside and considered all at once to weigh their fiscal impact as a whole. Unlike a typical hearing, […]