The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) on Nov. 15 released new civil rights data from the 2020–21 school year, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) since the 2017–18 school year. Accompanying the data are […]
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IQC approves schedule for math instructional materials adoption, application for reviewers
At its final meeting of the year, the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) on Nov. 15 approved matters related to the 2025 California Mathematics Instructional Materials Adoption process. The schedule of significant events, online instructional materials review application, and draft content standards and evaluation criteria maps […]
Study finds reduced suspension rates using empathetic discipline program and MTSS
Removing students from the classroom through exclusionary discipline practices like suspensions and expulsions has been proven to negatively impact academic achievement and disproportionately affect specific groups including students of color, low-income children, LGBTQ youth, males and students with disabilities. Those trends proved true on the […]
Court rules in favor of district in student privacy case
On July 10, Judge John A. Mendez of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California issued a decision in favor of Chico Unified School District in the case of Regino v. Staley, which involves a parent’s challenge to a school district […]
Governor spotlights California’s embrace of local control, parental engagement
Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed reporters at an elementary school in the Elk Grove Unified School District on Aug. 14 to highlight the state’s “family agenda” centered around efforts to enrich and empower kids and parents in schools. Newsom discussed the billions of dollars being invested […]
Preparing for ethnic studies implementation
The California Department of Education held a webinar, “Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Train the Trainer Certification,” on Aug. 2 to review the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC), district implementation guidance, instructional guidance, sample lessons and topics, and resources developed by local educational agencies. Assembly Bill […]
Legal update: Davis v. Fresno Unified School District ruling
On April 27, the California Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in the case of Davis v. Fresno Unified School District. The case relates to a 2012 lease-leaseback construction agreement used by Fresno Unified School District to construct a new $36.7 million middle school. The […]
Earth Day provides students an opportunity to advocate for climate change efforts
More than 50 years since the first Earth Day was held to raises awareness of the need to reduce pollution and protect the planet’s natural resources for future generations, students continue to take on the challenge. In Rialto Unified School District, students organized a free […]
LAUSD promoting equitable access to arts and cultural experiences through passport program
Offering students access to artistic venues, performances, outdoor education, museums and more, Los Angeles Unified School District officials detailed its recently launched Cultural Arts Passport during a March 3 virtual legislative briefing. While entry to places like the Getty Center are free, that doesn’t mean […]
New pay-to-play law challenged in court
By Dana Scott As of Jan. 1, 2023, school and county office of education board members are subject to “pay-to-play” campaign contribution restrictions due to the passage of Senate Bill 1439 and the changes it made to the Political Reform Act PRA). Prior to SB […]










