Author: Heather Kemp

Latine students, families share what they want from California schools

Latine students make up more than half of California’s K-12 public school population, but the perspectives of this group and their families are underrepresented in research and policy conversations. The report What California’s Latine Students, Families and Communities Want From and For Their Schools, published under the umbrella of Stanford University’s Getting Down to Facts research project, takes a qualitative approach to the subject.

COE leaders hear inspiring stories and practices to serve and support students at CSBA Counties Conference

During the 2026 CSBA Counties Conference Sept. 25-27 at the Marina del Rey Marriott, county offices of education convened to share ideas and learn about initiatives taking place throughout the state, showcasing the leaders’ commitment to lifelong learning.

Examining the effectiveness of outcomes-based contracting in school districts

Between August 2024 and March 2026, WestEd, in collaboration with The Center for Outcomes Based Contracting, carried out a mixed methods evaluation of eight early adopter school districts located in California, Florida, Mississippi and Texas that implemented tutoring or educational technology interventions under outcomes-based contracting (OBC) agreements. The findings, detailed in a report published in July, cover associated student outcomes, district spending, the impact of OBC on district-provider relationships and more.

How LEAs can start to address dyscalculia

Similar to how dyslexia can make reading, writing or spelling difficult for individuals, dyscalculia causes challenges with understanding numbers and learning math concepts. The Center for Reinventing Public Education’s August brief “The Missing Piece in Math Reform: Identifying and Supporting Students with Dyscalculia” explains the learning disability, why it’s often overlooked by schools and considerations regarding identification, intervention and policy for local educational agencies, states and stakeholders.

Report looks at districts’ implementation of LGBTQ+ inclusive programs and policies

With roughly half a million LGBTQ+ students served by the state’s public schools, the Equality California Institute’s 2026 Safe & Supportive Schools Report Card offers a glimpse at school climate, policy, curriculum adoption and other measures as well as recommendations for improving conditions for this population.

Report highlights experiences of military-connected teens

In the past six months, 29 percent of military-connected teenagers and young adults who participated in a recent survey reported thoughts of self-harm and 16 percent harmed themselves at least once, according to The Military Teen Experience in 2026: A Data-Driven Understanding of Our Military-Connected Teens and How We Can Help. Seventeen percent reported some level of suicidal ideation.

Suicide Prevention Month: Safe and supportive peer relationships can help struggling students to open up

As Suicide Prevention Month is observed in September, programs like Laguna Beach High School’s Student Support Collective, a peer-led network aimed at promoting overall student well-being, highlight the importance that safe and supportive relationships can make for young people year-round.  

Where California districts stand on adopting and implementing K-8 math instructional materials

Eighty-one percent of California-based school districts were engaged in an adoption process of K-8 math instructional materials or expected to begin that process before the end of the 2027–28 academic year, according to a report published by the Glen Price Group in May. Of those districts, 64 percent were considered in the early phases of the process — developing a vision and plan, understanding of their needs and identifying evaluation options.