Native American Day: State Board member talks upbringing, challenges facing students today

In honor and recognition of Native American Day, celebrated in California each year on the fourth Friday of September, CSBA spoke with recently appointed California State Board of Education member Jim McQuillen about his background and a number of key issues facing American Indian students […]

California’s new anti-hate initiative must avoid common pitfalls to make lasting change, experts say

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced on Sept. 21 the Education to End Hate initiative, designed to empower educators and students to confront hate, bigotry and racism through education. “Education continues to be one of our most powerful tools for countering hate and […]

Latino Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusive education

California has more than 15 million Hispanic and Latino residents, or just under 40 percent of its population — by far the largest population of any U.S. state. Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized nationwide from Sept. 15–Oct. 15 as a time to honor the cultures […]

Early learning centers serving dual language students need more support, research finds

There has been a significant push to reopen in-person school settings for California’s youngest students, but more must be done to support early learning centers that address the needs of dual language learners, according to a new report. The brief from Early Edge California and […]

CDC releases new school guidance for reopening decisions; reverts asymptomatic testing guidance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance on Sept. 15 to aid local educational agencies in school reopening decisions. Though the guidance comes well after the start of the school year for many LEAs, it provides suggested reopening criteria for states that […]

CCBE virtual conference features inspiring sessions and informative speakers

The California County Boards of Education held its first virtual annual conference Sept. 11–12. The format allowed some sessions to be prerecorded and available at any time, an advantage for those with busy schedules. Individual session topics included strategies for managing alternative school programs, such […]

Raging wildfires, smoky skies the latest obstacles for schools in 2020

The barrage of deadly wildfires burning up and down the state of California — and corresponding surreal skies and extremely unhealthy air — have destroyed schools and communities; displaced students, staff and their families; and interrupted long-planned-for returns to in-person instruction in many areas, a […]