Because of its growth potential and consistent impact across local educational agencies, a recent NWEA brief, “School’s in for summer: A scalable and effective post-pandemic academic intervention,” concluded that summer school is “a reliable intervention for supporting district-wide math recovery.”
Category: Research
Research
Disproportionate discipline remains an issue in California schools, but LEAs can turn things around
Despite the passage of legislation banning willful defiance suspensions, research from the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools found that racial disparities in suspension rates have remained mostly unchanged.
Researchers provide tips and tools to support LEAs in redesigning schools
Throughout the country, education leaders and policymakers are leaning into the concept of redesigning schools from the standardized factory model to one that can enable stronger academic and social-emotional outcomes for every student. Redesigning schools for deeper and more equitable learning requires systemic approaches that […]
Report calls out ‘unjust discipline’ among California students
In 2023–24, the most recent year considered, California students had an average of 10.7 days of lost instruction per 100 students enrolled due to out-of-school suspensions. For those in the foster care system, it was 76.7 days lost per 100 enrolled, for students experiencing homelessness it was 29.1 days lost and for students with disabilities, it was 23.4 days lost.
Fact sheet provides a detailed look at California’s student population
As 2026 begins, a new fact sheet published by the Public Policy Institute of California on California’s K-12 student population provides insights that can help inform local educational agencies on statewide trends.
New research provides insight into how LEAs can reduce “summer melt”
Timely, personalized communication alongside support with financial aid and complex enrollment tasks, trusted relationships and summer advising can meaningfully increase college enrollment and persistence, particularly for low-income and first-generation students, according to a new report.
Young Californians are attaining higher levels of education than prior generations
Young adults are staying in school longer and achieving higher levels of education, according to The Economic Milestones of Young Californians, a recent report from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).
Demand for after-school programming is vast and unmet
Afterschool Alliance’s latest report in its America After 3PM series, Lost Opportunity: Afterschool in Demand, But Out of Reach for Many, offers information on the experiences and needs of children and families between 3 and 6 p.m. when the school day is done but many parents are still finishing their work day.
Study shows temperature impacts student test scores, especially in low-income communities
While it may not be surprising that students do not perform as well academically when classroom temperatures climb, recent research from NWEA suggests math is more impacted by higher temperatures than reading, especially among students in high-poverty schools. Analyzing results from its MAP Growth assessment […]
Report examines how school board members see their role, challenges
California School Boards: Navigating Democracy in Divided Times provides a glimpse at how trustees see their role, how they are handling recent and ongoing periods of contention as well as what is needed to “ensure the promise of robust, locally governed public education systems.”










