Feb. 25th
Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools

LACOE and LA County Public Health yesterday announced a strategy aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to school employees as a step in supporting the safe return to in-person instruction in communities hit hardest by the pandemic.

I'm grateful for our strong partnership with Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer and her team so we could jointly develop a plan focused on equity. I believe our plan supports districts as they work with labor partners to safely reopen campuses.

The plan calls for the allocation of available vaccine doses to public school districts weekly using a formula that considers poverty level, COVID case rate in the community and whether on-campus instruction or services are being provided.

As we near the one-year mark since the forced closure of schools, it is truly heartening that our essential education workforce will begin to be inoculated on March 1. It's a positive step toward recovering from the academic and social-emotional challenges created by the pandemic.

You may read more about the vaccine distribution plan in our news release.
Public Health Update
  • Exposure Management Plan (revised 2/20/21) — The revision clarifies that vaccinated individuals who are a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case and meet specific criteria outlined in the exposure management plan are not required to quarantine. View the Exposure Management Plan


Assessment
The U.S. Department of Education on Feb. 22 submitted a letter to State Education Agencies regarding Assessment, Accountability, and Reporting Requirements for the 2020-21 School Year. The California State Board of Education on Feb. 24 took action on several motions which, if granted by the U.S. Department of Education, would provide flexibility that includes:

  • Decoupling state assessments from federal accountability requirements, as applicable. Any data collected would be used to inform local educators, parents and the public and align resources to support students.  
  • Waiving federal penalties for student testing participation rates of less than 95% on the state's Smarter Balanced English Language Arts and Mathematics assessments.  
  • Extending the window by which schools must complete test administration to July 30 for both the CAASPP and ELPAC, as applicable.  
  • Waiving the 2021 administration of the CAST science assessment altogether.  


Contact: Jessica Conkle, LACOE Curriculum & Instructional Services, 562-922-6286, conkle_jessica@lacoe.edu.
Budget & Finance
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) announced that lawmakers will take up the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, the "American Rescue Plan" (text; summary), for a vote on Feb. 26. House Democrats revealed changes to the measure in a manager's amendment, including a provision that would redirect the $1.8 billion set aside for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and mitigation funds in "congregate settings" such as jails, long-term care facilities and psychiatric hospitals.
Resources for Districts & Schools
State of California Safe Schools For All Hub click here

Child Abuse Reporting Electronic System (DCFS) click here

Hot Topics in Technology & Pedagogy (Distance Learning Consortium) click here

The Field Guide: Accelerating Learning, Equity & Well-Being (CCEE) click here
African American teen girl wearing headphones learning language online_ using laptop_ looking at screen_ doing school tasks at home_ writing notes_ listening to lecture or music_ distance education