California has more than 15 million Hispanic and Latino residents, or just under 40 percent of its population — by far the largest population of any U.S. state. Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized nationwide from Sept. 15–Oct. 15 as a time to honor the cultures […]
Early learning centers serving dual language students need more support, research finds
There has been a significant push to reopen in-person school settings for California’s youngest students, but more must be done to support early learning centers that address the needs of dual language learners, according to a new report. The brief from Early Edge California and […]
CDC releases new school guidance for reopening decisions; reverts asymptomatic testing guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance on Sept. 15 to aid local educational agencies in school reopening decisions. Though the guidance comes well after the start of the school year for many LEAs, it provides suggested reopening criteria for states that […]
CCBE virtual conference features inspiring sessions and informative speakers
The California County Boards of Education held its first virtual annual conference Sept. 11–12. The format allowed some sessions to be prerecorded and available at any time, an advantage for those with busy schedules. Individual session topics included strategies for managing alternative school programs, such […]
President’s Message: Parent engagement has never been more important
By CSBA President Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez It’s often said that parents are a child’s first teacher. Most parents embrace this role but look forward to a break from those duties when their kids are at school. This year, there’s no reprieve for the vast majority […]
Raging wildfires, smoky skies the latest obstacles for schools in 2020
The barrage of deadly wildfires burning up and down the state of California — and corresponding surreal skies and extremely unhealthy air — have destroyed schools and communities; displaced students, staff and their families; and interrupted long-planned-for returns to in-person instruction in many areas, a […]
CEO’s note: A wake-up call decades in the making
By CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy You ran for school board because you wanted to make a difference. When you won the election, you knew you would be doing important work that would impact the lives of students and your community. But […]
State Board: Leaders address immensely challenging times; criteria approved for Seal of Civic Engagement
State education leaders opened Thursday, Sept. 10’s State Board of Education meeting by pledging their support for K–12 schools and communities across the state and recognizing the heroic work of local educational agencies in a monumentally challenging school year. While the scramble continues to close […]
New report finds COVID-19 learning loss will be drastic, and students will need significant support
With local educational agencies beginning to reopen campuses or get into the swing of virtual learning, significant resources will be needed to help students overcome a summer slide made worse by the “COVID slide,” according to a new study. The report released Aug. 25 by […]
CDE webinar offers insights into new guidance, fields key COVID questions
A Sept. 9 California Department of Education webinar drawing 1,300 attendees provided local educational agencies with clarity on updated guidance for in-person, small group instruction, as well as a deeper dive into the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and its impacts on K–12 schools. Officials […]











