In this difficult time, LACOE remains committed to improving the lives of students and our educational community through service, leadership and advocacy. Here, we share best practices, tips and success stories from the county’s 80 districts as we innovate and adapt together to ensure continuity of learning and safety of students, staff and families. |
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Helping students make sense of insurgency at the Capitol |
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As pro-Trump rioters broke into the U.S. Capitol to stop the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory, social studies teachers were faced with the question: How would they address the issue with their students? "Education is the foundation of a safe and civil democracy, and I am personally committed to enhancing civic learning in our public schools," says LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo in a statement. She urged educators to "reinforce our critical role" in preparing young people to be respectful, engaged and active citizens.
Civics expert and LACOE's History-Social Science Coordinator Dr. Michelle Herczog shares some resources to guide educators in helping students make sense of recent events and turn these into real-life civic learning lessons.
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Empowering students through civic learning |
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To help boost civics education that can empower students during this challenging time, the LA County Board of Education last week passed a resolution supporting the State Seal of Civic Engagement that creates pathways for students to become civically engaged in democratic government institutions.
Late last year, the State Board of Education adopted criteria and guidance on awarding a State Seal of Civic Engagement to California students who demonstrate excellence in civics education and participation, and an understanding of the U.S. and California Constitutions, as well as our democratic system of government.
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The Future of American History Education:
What Now?
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As the Trump presidency comes to an end, many questions have been raised about its impact and legacy on a range of policy issues and priorities for the country. The future of American history education, particularly for K–12 students, is one area where the impact could be felt for years.
In a Commonwealth Club podcast on this topic, LACOE History-Social Science Coordinator Dr. Michelle Herczog joins Harvard Professor Jane Kamensky and American Enterprise Institute Resident Fellow Ian Rowe. Moderated by The Atlantic Senior Editor Yoni Applebaum, the podcast was recorded on the day pro-Trump rioters breached the Capitol to stop the electoral process.
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Budget deferrals could hurt schools during pandemic |
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LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo has expressed concern over the proposed deferral of funding to districts that would leave them "strapped for cash at a time of extraordinary operational costs" due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "We appreciate the Governor’s proposal to pay down two-thirds of the school deferrals enacted in last year’s budget, but we are still unsure how long the pandemic and school closures will continue," says Duardo in her statement on Gov. Gavin Newsom's 2021 budget proposal.
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LA County responds to COVID-19 surge |
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One in five LA County residents currently tested is infected with COVID-19. As the surge continues, LA County has stepped up its awareness campaign to help slow the spread. Residents are urged to wear a face cover when out in public, maintain six feet of physical distancing and only gather with people in their own household. LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo has recently shared that she tested positive for COVID-19. It's "a reminder that we are all vulnerable and we must work together to stop the spread," she said.
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Free COVID-19 home test kit offered until Jan. 15 |
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Los Angeles County, in partnership with Fulgent Genetics, is offering free COVID-19 home tests to everyone in the county until Jan. 15, 2021. This is the same test offered at the county’s drive-up or walk-up community testing sites. The partnership, called the LA County Holiday Home Test Collection, will allow you to sign up to have a COVID-19 test shipped to your home.
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Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Educators play a vital role in youth trafficking prevention
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January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, an opportune time to raise awareness of the tremendous need for human trafficking prevention in LA County. The region is designated as one of the nation’s main trafficking hubs, with the highest number of victims reported.
Educators, who play a vital role in prevention, need training and the tools to identify and help students experiencing human trafficking. LACOE has been selected as one of eight agencies nationwide and three in California to develop and implement the Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Demonstration Program.
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Podcast amplifies voices in education |
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Podcasting is a great way to share stories that can enlighten, entertain and “open hearts and minds,” says LACOE Reading/Language Arts Coordinator Leslie Zoroya. She and Senior Program Specialist Mara Shinn Smith co-host the podcast Leading Literacy featuring education experts who share literacy research, insights and best practices. They discuss topics ranging from dyslexia to media literacy in the age of fake news and information overload.
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Yellow school buses go green |
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Mountain View SD, a pioneer in green transportation in the San Gabriel Valley, now has five all-electric school buses to transport students when schools reopen. The district recently received three brand-new, state-of-the-art buses thanks to a grant from the California Energy Commission. The new buses will be installed with CDC-approved air purifiers and Wi-Fi routers. The vehicles are also wheelchair accessible, a feature that MVSD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Darin DeKnikker described as "a huge step" for the district. "We can now accommodate all of our special needs students on field trips," said DeKnikker, who secured the grant.
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CABE Teacher of the Year is from Palmdale SD |
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The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) from honoring its Teacher of the Year — Maria Dorn from Palmdale SD. Dorn teaches kindergarten in the Dual Immersion Program at Manzanita School. The program is kindergarten to fourth grade and will add fifth grade next year. Palmdale SD Supt. Raul Maldonado says the district is very proud of its Dual Immersion Program and fortunate to have outstanding teachers like Dorn.
Photo shows (from left) Principal Susan Summers, Maria Dorn and Assistant Principal Carmen Saenz.
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Application for Innovation Grants due Jan. 15 |
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LACOE and its philanthropic arm, Greater Los Angeles, have launched the Teacher of the Year Equitable Innovation Grant initiative to invest $50,000 in teacher-led solutions to support the students that have been affected most by the pandemic. The program will support and spotlight the incredible efforts that teachers take on behalf of their students every day. The grant opportunity is open to all educators in LA County’s public schools. Individual applicants can apply for up to $1,500. Teams of up to three are eligible to apply for a maximum of $4,500 ($1,500 each). The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2021.
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This workshop series will provide insights and strategies for navigating challenging conversations in schools. A Museum of Tolerance facilitator will create space for dialogue and a supportive community to begin practicing the skills. Toolkits and teacher guides for proactively implementing conscious conversations will be provided.
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Participants will focus on cultivating a school climate that supports the goals of anti-bias and social justice education. Live workshops are led by expert Sarah Wicht from Teaching Tolerance. Special guest speaker Dr. Terrence Roberts, one of the Little Rock Nine, will discuss grappling with difficult history and perspectives on achieving racial justice in our schools today.
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California educators condemn and reflect on Capitol attack |
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LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo joins school and university officials in voicing their outrage at the violence that erupted in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6. "The violence and objections to the certified state election results within the Senate and House of Representatives are events of historic proportions," she says. Duardo adds that students will be looking to adults to explain how and why this happened.
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Parents worry kids are not adapting to distance learning |
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Help is what the Superintendent for Los Angeles County Office of Education Dr. Debra Duardo has been trying to provide to students since schools closed in March.
"We know that for our low-income families, who are predominately children of color, they had less access to computers and the internet to be able to really engage in their classroom instruction," Duardo said.
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A legacy of excellence, kindness and aloha spirit
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LACOE and the LA County Board of Education recently honored Student Support Services Director Dr. Victor Thompson for his exceptional leadership and longtime service supporting students, educators and communities in LA County.
Thompson, who retired earlier this month, led LACOE's efforts to support the physical, emotional and mental health, safety and well-being of students. He has championed equity and diversity, having served as the Association of California School Administrators’ State Board Liaison for the ACSA Equity Committee. He is the founder of the National Pacific Islander Education Network and served as an adviser to the Asian Pacific Heritage Group at LACOE.
"His legacy of excellence, kindness, generosity and aloha spirit will always be a part of LACOE," said Supt. Debra Duardo during the Board presentation honoring Thompson.
Photo shows Dr. Thompson teaching Willow Elementary (ABC Unified) students how to play the ukulele as part of his volunteer work supporting the district's BEST2 mentoring program.
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Resources for Families & Schools |
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Don’t forget, LACOE is regularly updating several pages of resources:
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