GAO report shows increase in special education students spending more time in general education classrooms

Between the 2012–13 and 2023–24 school years, the number of students with disabilities spending some of their school day in general education classrooms increased 25 percent, according to a report published July 2 by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).

State Seal of Biliteracy attainment has improved, but more can be done to boost access

A recent brief published by Californians Together details the expansion of the State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) over the past 15 years and offers state and local recommendations to help further boost access for students — particularly those classified as English learners (EL) and reclassified fluent English proficient (RFEP).

Small Schools, Big Ideas: Expanding CTE and boosting student achievement in Monson-Sultana ESD

What began as a response to requests from families for additional electives for their students enrolled in the Monson-Sultana Elementary School District has become a critical component of recent improvements in academic achievement, attendance and more.

New research details links between disproportionate discipline and policy, student and classroom factors

A new brief from researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the Annenberg Institute at Brown University synthesizes current studies on how local educational agencies can reduce racial inequities in school discipline — particularly exclusionary discipline practices such as suspensions and expulsions — and examines why many discipline reforms fail to produce lasting change.

National school board member survey details impact of COVID-era conflicts on education governance

Local educational agency trustees have always had to navigate conflicting opinions over school budgets, curriculum and more, but as clashes over pandemic-related school closures; masking and vaccine policies; programs supporting diversity, equity and inclusion and other topic went viral online, school board meetings throughout the country became more contentious, sometimes to the detriment of trustees’ well-being.

Survey findings show school staff burnout is caused by compounding factors

Nearly 40 percent of special education teachers and more than 30 percent of school-based nurses and counselors considered leaving their role in the past 12 months, according to a recent survey of 1,000 school employees across the U.S. conducted by Soliant Health, a healthcare staffing provider.

State Board of Education finalizes new assistance criteria and discusses alignment efforts for state support

Following months of discussion, stakeholder meetings and study sessions, the California State Board of Education (SBE) adopted new performance criteria for determining differentiated assistance (DA) eligibility during its July 8 meeting.