This article discusses the fact that this is the first time the California Department of Education has broken down absenteeism rates by reasons for students missing school. The data shows that black students have a much higher rate of unexcused absences from school than their white peers. The data covers the school years 2017-18 and 2018-19.
Jones, C., Willis, D.J. 2020. New California absenteeism data shows big discrepancies between white, Black students. Oakland, California: EdSourcehttps://edsource.org/2020/new-california-absenteeism-data-shows-big-discrepancies-between-white-black-students/645485
Homelessness is a condition that is intersectional with the educational experiences and outcomes of youth. This brief highlights state and school officials’ perspectives to examine relevant challenges, policies, and practices related to the youth homelessness crisis. In addition to identifying pertinent challenges, participants provided insights into established and emerging practices and approaches that have been effective in meeting the needs of homeless youth.
Dumas, T., James, A., and Bishop, J. (2023). No Shame or Stigmas: Prioritizing Students Experiencing Homelessness in Long Beach Unified and Monterey County. California MTSS Research Consortium, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. Accessed September 5, 2023.
The Region 15 Comprehensive Center (R15CC), led by WestEd, is part of the national Comprehensive Center Network (CC Network), and works to provide capacity-building technical assistance, content expertise, and other services to effectively support state education agencies (SEAs) and their regional and local constituents in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah.
This Board policy ensures equal access to educational opportunity for all students by minimizing or elimination the impacts of disparities in ability, levels of preparation, available resources and social-cultural differences in achievement and performance. Also, it describes how to prevent disproportionality associated between a child's race or ethnicity and the number and type of special education classifications and placements that result.
Mount Diablo Unified School District. 2011. School Board policy - Disproportionality Policy/BP0411. Concord, California: Mount Diablo Unified School District (DOCUMENT)
This report reviews 79 California school districts with a focus on how they managed school closures and the quality of education that English Learners received. Six key indicators were identified: 1. Designated and Integrated English Language Development (ELD) 2.Live Interactive Instruction 3.Bridging the Digital Divide A PowerPoint is included with the article 4. Family Collaboration 5. Social-Emotional Support Early Child Education (ECE).
Williams, Dr., C.P. 2020. School Closure And English Learners: A Review of COVID-19 Operations Written Reports. Long Beach, California: Californians Together. https://www.californianstogether.org/school-closure-and-english-learners/
The data in this report prepared by the Los Angeles Unified School District provides evidence that 100% of the secondary students in LAUSD minimally accessed Schoology, the district's primary online course management system at least once during the first nine weeks of school closure. Data is provided that there were disparities in activities. Compared to more advantaged students, fewer middle and high school students who are Black, Hispanic, living in low-income households, classified as English Learners, have a disability, are in the District's homeless program or are in foster care participated across all measures of online activity. Report states that low participation may show lost learning, which could take students years to recoup.
Besecker, M., Thomas, Ph. D., A. 2020. Student Engagement Online During School Facilities Closures: An Analysis of L.A. Unified Secondary Students' Schoology Activity from March 16 to May 22, 2020. Los Angeles, California: Independent Analysis Unit, Los Angeles Unified School District
http://laschoolboard.org/sites/default/files/IAU%20Report%202020%200707%20-%20Student%20Engagement%20Online%20During%20Closures.pdf
This brief looks at the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and identifies effective strategies that address the needs of students with foster care experience (FCE). It details the findings of a case study of Sweetwater Union High School District, based in Chula Vista, California, and its practices, programs, and policies that promote the academic well-being of students with FCE. Conjointly, drawing from interviews with California high school graduates with FCE, the brief includes students’ recommendations for schools.
Wollen, S., Gomez, A., Day, A., Willis, T., and Estrella, E. (2023). Supporting the Academic Success of Students with Foster Care Experience: Lessons from Sweetwater Union High School District. California MTSS Research Consortium, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. Accessed September 5, 2023.
This brief depicts demographic trends and the rich diversity of the English-Learner (EL) classified students enrolled in California’s public schools. These data include the number of language learners, geographic trends in where they live, their home language, and their race.
Leger, M-L., Santibanez, L., Obeso, O. and Perez, S. (2023). The Landscape of Language Learners in California’s MTSS: Who are California’s English Language Learners? California MTSS Research Consortium, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. Accessed September 5, 2023.
This series of articles on Inequities in schools takes a close look at some schools and districts that are engaging in hard work of embracing the goals of equity and turning them into action steps that are benefiting students. The articles discuss that black, Hispanic or low-income students schools may not have the same advanced courses as white, more affluent peers, teachers with long track records of effective teaching or are more likely to face harsher discipline. Articles: 1. In Pursuit of Equity 2. Data Reveal Deep Inequalities in Schools 3. How Onw District is Raising Math Rigor and Achievement for Students of Color 4. Access to Quality PD Is an Equity Issue, Teachers Say 5. The Simple Policy Change That's Getting More Students of Color in Advanced Courses 6. The Art of Making Science Accessible and Relevant to All Students
Samuel, C.A., Schwartz, S., Blad, E., Gewertz, C. 2020. Uprooting Inequities in Schools. Bethesda, Maryland: Education Week http://e-news.edweek.org/hostedemail/email.htm?CID=41632109141&ch=555AE40C00CA2111F027762D339E115D&h=090c7478f5f0b706ad27de4da5c61b08&ei=7f7OBGlxN&st=04-MAR-20
This article discusses the reform efforts of California school districts to reduce the suspension rate of students of color, especially African American Students. Suspension data from 2018-19 is broken down by race and ethnicity. Restorative Justice Programs are discussed as successful programs to reduce suspensions. Use of LCAP funds to develop programs and increase staff to support students is outlined.
Jones, Carolyn. 2020. Years of reform efforts contribute to declining African-American suspension rates in California. Oakland, California: EdSource.
https://edsource.org/2020/african-american-suspension-rate-drops-in-california-after-years-of-reform-efforts/621970
