CSBA joined administrators, business officials, educators, classified personnel and parents on Thursday as the Education Coalition urged California’s lawmakers to adopt a 2020–21 budget that provides sufficient funding to safely reopen schools this fall. Among other severe cuts, the May Revision slashes 10 percent from […]
Author: Kimberly Sellery
A Conversation With: Debbie Raucher
John Burton Advocates for Youth, named for the former member of the California State Assembly and President Pro Tem of the State Senate, works to improve the quality of life for California’s foster, former foster and homeless youth through three areas: housing, health and education. […]
State guidance on reopening schools nearing; funding remains key issue
The California Department of Education offered several insights into the development of its guidance for safely reopening schools during a May 21 webinar, with the department planning to release the document in the “days to weeks to come.” At the meeting’s outset, State Superintendent of […]
President’s Message: Building a bridge across the digital divide
In this space last month, I commended the tireless work of trustees, administrators, teachers, classified staff and others for truly rising to the challenge and finding creative ways to teach and serve students on a massive scale and in relatively short order. And while much […]
COVID-19 webinar explores legal, policy and instructional aspects of special education
Of all the challenges faced by local educational agencies during the COVID-19 crisis, questions around providing services and learning opportunities to students with disabilities have been at the top of the list. Absent waivers to requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools have […]
May Revision cuts LCFF, drops COLA, introduces proposals in effort to mitigate impact
Reflecting California’s pandemic-induced $54 billion budget deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom presented his May Revision on May 14 featuring a blend of proposals aimed at mitigating the dire financial straits of the state’s K–12 schools. “Coupled with a 10 percent cut to LCFF — the primary […]
Webinar highlights CSBA’s efforts on digital divide, shares district perspectives
With school districts and county offices of education now well into widespread distance learning across California — and acknowledging that at least some form of it will continue next school year — CSBA’s latest COVID-19 webinar explored how the association is playing a role in […]
State Board Report: May virtual meeting focuses on new realities, future projects and plans amid COVID-19
At its first meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic completely changed the shape of California’s public school system, the State Board of Education on May 7 virtually addressed how the crisis will shift its own policy work, priorities and timelines. Much of the discussion focused on […]
Board policies, without delay
School closures due to the spread of COVID-19 have affected nearly every aspect of school, district and county office of education operations. Under these unique circumstances, governing board members and staff may find that they are consulting their board policies and administrative regulations more often, […]
Teaching credential, preparation program enrollment numbers continue climbing
Continuing a multi-year pattern, California saw a 3.1 percent increase in teaching credentials issued in fiscal year 2018–19, however, the state also witnessed a slight decrease in the number of fully credentialed teachers serving in its public schools. And for a state still grappling with […]











