Author: Alisha Kirby

New fact sheet on chronic absenteeism in California highlights critical trends

Using the latest data from the California Department of Education, a fact sheet recently released by Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) examines trends in chronic absenteeism statewide through the 2024–25 school year. According to researchers, while rates of chronic absence have continued to decrease since their peak in 2021–22, they remain alarmingly high, with only a slight decrease over the past year. Without rapid intervention, academic recovery since the onset of the pandemic will likely get more challenging.

States should focus on foundational data and information as they expand CTE, according to new research

A new report from Insightful Education Solutions examines whether states have the foundational conditions — well-structured pathways, reliable data, workforce alignment and public transparency — needed to credibly assess and improve their career technical education (CTE) programs.

Celebrating Pride Month year-round: Petaluma City Schools aims for an inclusive and accepting school culture 

Ahead of Pride Month celebrated each June, the Petaluma City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution on April 14 directing all campuses in the district to fly the Pride lag throughout the school year. Specifically, the district will now fly the Progress Pride flag, designed in 2018 as an update to the traditional rainbow flag to emphasize inclusion and intersectionality within the LGBTQ+ community.  

New PACE report takes deep dive into early outcomes of Regional K-16 Education Collaboratives

With the Regional K-16 Education Collaboratives Grant Program, which aims to address persistent inequities in higher education and workforce participation through the development of regional intersegmental partnerships statewide, reaching its end, a new report from Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE) examines the outcomes of one of the programs key partnerships.

New fact sheet on student achievement gaps in California emphasizes the need for improved state accountability

A fact sheet published late March by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) identified several alarming trends that highlight the motivation behind CSBA’s call for greater state accountability in helping local educational agencies close achievement gaps.

Latest results from annual superintendents survey show increasing tenure longevity

Superintendents report an average tenure of over five years in their current roles — an increase of three years or less commonly cited as the standard in recent times, according to the recently released 2025–26 Superintendent Salary & Benefits Study from AASA, The School Superintendents Association. This finding is in line with the pre-pandemic figure of about six years.

State Board of Education takes long-awaited action on Dashboard indicators, Portrait of a Learner and more

The State Board of Education’s (SBE) May 12-13 meeting included the long-awaited adoption of a California Portrait of a Learner, as well as changes to the 2026 California School Dashboard including the integration of student growth data for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics, and continued discussion around redesigning the state’s Differentiated Assistance and Direct Technical Assistance eligibility criteria to more effectively identify and prioritize LEAs with the greatest need.

New research offers recommendations on how to boost literacy rates among older students

The old adage, “students learn to read, then read to learn,” focuses on ensuring that students achieve literacy proficiency by third grade, at which point, the curriculum becomes more difficult and their reading skills are put to use to learn the material. However, since the pandemic, fewer students are proficient readers even into their middle and high school years, where teachers are not prepared to equip students with the basics. The Advanced Education Research & Development Fund (AERDF), a national nonprofit organization, recently released a report that provides research-backed recommendations for supporting older readers.

AAPI month spotlight: How one trustee’s own education journey impacts her special ed advocacy

One day while driving her son to school, Julie Chau Diep heard the song “Colors of the Wind,” a classic from the Pocahontas film soundtrack, when one specific lyric moved her to the point of tears. “How high does the sycamore grow? If you cut it down, then you’ll never know.” Diep, a trustee of the Anaheim Elementary School District, is also president and executive director of the OC Autism Foundation where she oversees a speech therapy clinic, disability advocacy center and community integration program.