In recent years, California has made progress in providing resources and support for students with dyslexia, a language-based learning disability that most often affects an individual’s ability to read fluently. In 2015, Assembly Bill 1369 directed the California Department of Education to develop the state […]
Category: Education and Training
Education and Training
Addressing the whole child encourages student engagement
A new survey and report released by education technology company GoGuardian aims to measure the most effective ways of engaging students in their learning by surveying more than 2,500 educators from all 50 states and 40 additional countries. The “2021–2022 State of Engagement Report” aims […]
School staffing shortages put damper on historic infusion of funds
By CSBA President Dr. Susan Heredia After decades of inadequate funding, it took an unprecedented global pandemic that shut down most schools in California for more than a year to finally receive an infusion of funds that can help us provide the resources for every […]
California launches student reading initiative
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was joined by various California education leaders on Sept. 21 to announce a literacy initiative for the state: By 2026, every child will learn to read by third grade. “We already know that when students learn to read, […]
CDE releases first set of growth model data
The California Department of Education on Sept. 22 released the initial set of historical student growth data on student achievement for English language arts and math on its Growth Model webpage. The new model aggregates and reports data by local educational agency and student group, […]
Toolkit available to assess and plan for local literacy needs
The California Department of Education is partnering with California Educators Together to provide the Local Literacy Planning Toolkit, a set of resources designed to align the work of local educational agencies at the county, district and school levels with the California Comprehensive State Literacy Plan […]
The importance of community …. and community schools
By CSBA President Dr. Susan Heredia The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed many hidden or underreported truths about American society. One of the most significant revelations is the extent to which schools are not just institutions of learning, but also hubs of community in neighborhoods across […]
California Senate hearing discusses youth mental health as students return to schools
In an Aug. 18 informational hearing, the Senate Education Committee heard from state and local education leaders and advocates about the importance of centering mental wellness and social-emotional learning as students return to the classroom for the 2021–22 school year and a need to connect […]
National FAFSA completion rates decline for second year
A July report by the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) warned of a steep drop in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion in 2020 and 2021. Students must complete the FAFSA to access federal grants and loans, as well as many types of […]
Ninth Circuit upholds closure of public schools during pandemic, but finds state infringed on rights of private school students
On July 23, 2021, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a legal challenge to California’s decision to close public schools to in-person instruction and provide online distance learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the court reversed the lower court’s decision toward private […]









